Cities across Spain are preparing to welcome more than 300,000 young pilgrims who will travel to the country a week before the official World Youth Day celebrations begin. The early arrivers will participate in historical and cultural events called, “Days in the Dioceses.”

The Days in the Dioceses will be held Aug. 11 – 15, 2011.

So far, 130,000 are signed up to participate in the earlier events. The WYD office said the activities will “transform every corner of Spain into a small Babel, welcoming young people from countries of five different continents.”

Young people will take part in cultural activities, historical visits, festivals, and prayer time at shrines and pilgrimage sites.

World Youth Day Madrid will then take place Aug. 16 – 20, 2011