More about the programme

Umea and Sweden will host the YMCA World Council in 2014 – and in the same year, Umea is the European cultural capital! We see this combination as a winning formula and the events will of course strengthen each other.

The main concept for the festival will be BODY, MIND & SPIRIT – the three building blocks of our movement’s identity. How these building blocks will manifest themselves in the programme is not yet decided.

But the  festival will be a great experience for everyone that participates and visits the festival area. The main target group is members of YMCA and YWCA in the age 16-30 years, but the festival area is open for everyone. Minimum is 10 000 participants.

Participating countries, associations and persons will be urged and stimulated to take with them what they are proud and want to share! The festival will be a great experience for everyone that participates and visits the festival area. The main target group is members of YMCA and YWCA in the age 16-30 years, but the festival area is open for everyone. Minimum is 10 000 participants.

You will have lots and lots of possibilities to try new things and to learn different activities! There will be several arenas for concerts and performances, and an international world artist will be the drawing card for the festival!

We also intend to host world championships in Basketball and other sports. And hopefully, the Norwegian YWCA-YMCA will be interested in organizing a world tensing event!The festival will be innovative, creative, challenging, instructive, active and fun! The strength of the YMCA movement lies partially in the permanent ongoing exchange of ideas and inspiration throughout the world. We learn of each other in order to create better activities, better values – and a better world. Festivals, camps, courses and seminars are important elements in the movement’s development. The festival wants to inspire, activate, engage and empower everyone that visits the festival (not least members of the YMCA and YWCA!)