“We worked hard. For three years we listened to thousands of people, especially the young people that we met at home or on tour. We composed music and wrote lyrics, but above all strived to live out the meaning of our words: putting ourselves in the game, taking risks, welcoming both the ugly and beautiful in humanity. We can’t wait to go to Great Britain. The one talking is Sally McAllister, Gen Verde’s manager, Irish by birth and English by adoption: “I’ve lived in London for more than 30 years and learnt to know and love the people. So it is with much joy that we are accepting the invitation to return there.” The Focolare has been in Great Britain since 1963, spread throughout many cities of the United Kingdom, and its members are Roman Catholic, Anglican and faithful of the Free Churches. There are also Muslims and Sikhs who, in their own way, are true witnesses of a living unity that is at times lived out painstakingly in daily life. “Why did they invite us,” Sally asks. “The Focolare communities arranged the entire tour:a group of twenty young people and adults, families that are spread throughout the United Kingdom. We dreamed it up and organised it together. They told us that they wanted to open hearts and hands, to recompose relationships, overcome hatreds and distrust: to encounter the people and share the gift of communion in diversity.” “That took courage, and I must say that these people have a good dose of it! We’ll have 12 engagements with a total of 7 “Start Now” shows, 5 acoustic concerts and several other encounters.” Listening to Sally’s words one realises that they are only the tip of the iceberg and that Gen Verde’s musical tour in the United Kingdom is capable of touching a chord with the people. “We’ll go on stage in complex places like London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Oxford, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Cardiff,” Sally explained, “with a social and cultural fabric that has been defined as post-Christian and disintegrating, but where ecumenical and interreligious dimensions are still strong. Through the music, words and choreography we will describe the life amongst us and many other parts of the world: a life of communion, fraternity, sacrifice and reciprocity. We would like to show the ‘much more’ that is already there but not being spotlighted by British society; what is being done for others but risks remaining hidden behind media titles that often broadcast exclusion, defensiveness and fear.” In London, Gen Verde will also meet young people from the Islamic Centre, invited by Imam Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali. “Let us focus on the values that unite us and and work together.” Judging by the passion that Sally is putting into this, it is obvious that young people will have the place of honour during this tour: “They are the thermometer of society, they often live in the darkest depths and it is no mystery that even Great Britain, like other European countries, violence and suicides are very much on the rise amongst people under 30. The new show that will go on stage in Great Britain will also include some new pieces “On the Other Side,” their latest released album. “It is geared towards young people and its themes are universal. It presents a journey in four parts: We begin with the challenges, the deep ones, the ones that make you look into yourself. Then comes the question: Is it even possible to overcome them? Finally, there is the invitation to go out and build the present and the future together, and this part is called “No frontiers,” because together we can make the difference.” See official Focolare website for news and events: dev.focolare.org/gb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llkkHKzywrM