Madrid, Spain - At our Madrid Peace Embassy, we celebrated the UN International Day of Families with three different events, two on May 15 and another on May 22.
● For the first event, 40 people gathered for this important international celebration, with the vision to support this UN initiative. The Family Federation for World Peace Director, Mr. Manuel Campillo gave the opening remarks speaking about the value of healthy families as the place for the beginning of life, love, and education.
A Catholic Priest of the Dominican Order and Professor, Mr. Niceto Blazquez was the first speaker and spoke about “Life and Love as the Vital Values of the Family” He said:
“The family is like a garden created to be planted and cultivate human life with love”; “the most essential love that should reign in the family is the personal love”; “this love means to recognize unconditionally the dignity and superior value of each human person that is able to pass love, care and deep understanding at the same time.”
A Professor from the University of Milan, Mr. Emilio Asti spoke about “The Family Clan in the Oriental Traditions” He said:
“The family clan was responsible to organize the ties of the past and present, like traditions, manners, education and ethics.” The value of respect was essential and the marriage was an important job of the clan system.”
Among the participants were four members of the Afghanistan Community in Madrid. There were also representatives from the Catholic Federation of Services for Young Women, Vomade Association, “Todo es Arte,” “Cuenta y Canta,” Association, and the Aeprodmus Islamic Association
Musical entertainment was provided by “Todo es Arte.” They performed a lovely dance from Peru, with everyone joining in. We affirmed the five points of the UPF Family Declaration and shared a toast to families. We offered everyone gifts of flowers and congratulation cards. Prayers were offered by Fr. Niceto Blazquez, who said “The Lord’s Prayer” and invited everyone to join in; Miss Silvia Cerrada, who recited a prayer in Arabic; Patricia Zuñiga, who led us in a Buddhist meditation; and Manuel Campillo, a Unificationist, who offered the closing prayer.
● That evening I went to a large gathering of Peruvian families (around 700 people) in the Retiro Auditorium and spoke about the meaning of the Day of Families and its history.
● For the third event, ten volunteers went on May 22 to offer our love, care, and joy to a group of around 55 elderly people are living in Catalina Suarez Elderly Peoples’ Home in Madrid. We prepared a one-hour program with four popular and typical Spanish songs, one dance to Korean music, and a dance from from Peru. We explained the meaning of the day and spoke about the land of Korea. We gave them carnations, congratulation cards of this International Day of Families, and floral arrangement for their chapel. We also sang "Happy Birthday" to a man who was celebrating his 88th birthday and gave him a bouquet of flowers.
Everybody enjoy the morning with us and want us to come again, because they said they need us to make them happy and joyful. It was a very special day for everyone.
For more information about UPF chapters' celebrations of the International Day of Families, click here.