More than 100'000 participants from Germany and beyond are expected at the Kirchentag festival that opens in the German capital Berlin on Wednesday, 24 May and ends with a televised mega-service in the Reformation city Wittenberg on Sunday, 28 May. Among the event's 5000 international guests are former U.S. President Barack Obama, and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Among the 2500 events on the Kirchentag programme, many involve representatives of the WCC member churches and its leadership, including the moderator of the WCC Central Committee, Dr Agnes Abuom; WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit; the WCC president for Africa, Rev. Dr Mary-Anne Plaatjies van Huffel; and various members of the WCC Central Committee.
The WCC will also be present with a booth in the exhibition space “Market of Opportunities” (hall 1.1. G19), in collaboration with the ecumenical youth network Meet – More Ecumenical Empowerment Together.
At the booth, visitors will have the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with WCC representatives (see schedule below; questions submitted via social media will be put to our experts during mini-interviews broadcast on the WCC YouTube channel). They will also be invited to take part in WCC campaigns such as #ThursdaysinBlack and "HIV testing: leading by example", and to join a photo contest with the motto "Oikoumene GO! Catch the ecumenical spirit". More information will soon be shared in this page.
The Kirchentag festival takes place every two years in a different German city, gathering participants of all age groups – most visitors are younger than 30 years – as well as personalities from political, economic and national life.
The Kirchentag was founded in 1949 by Protestant lay people to strengthen democratic culture after the Nazi dictatorship and the Second World War. The Kirchentag also serves as a major forum for debates on such matters as nuclear power, climate change, and the financial crisis. Alongside such discussions, it offers opportunities for worship, music and culture.
Overview of WCC-related events in the Kirchentag programme (pdf)
Schedule of special guests at booth / video interviews (pdf)
