(ANS – Rome) – Following the announcement of the theme of the Rector Major’s Strenna for 2024, preparations are already underway at Salesian Headquarters to ensure that the message of the 10th Successor of Don Bosco for the bicentenary year of the “dream at 9 years of age” is conveyed in the most effective and fascinating way possible. That is why the Social Communication Sector, led by Fr. Gildasio Mendes, is launching an invitation to all illustrators, designers and graphic centers to create the Strenna poster for 2024, and to represent the evocative message in images: “The dream that makes you dream”. A heart that transforms “wolves” into “lambs”.
The Rector Major’s Strenna for next year will not be an “ordinary” one, but will have its own particular characteristics that will make it unique and of even greater importance than usual. In fact, following the Rector Major’s appointment as Cardinal and the provisions for the Congregation subsequently given by Pope Francis, it will be Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime’s final Strenna; moreover, the chosen theme – the dream at nine years of age – is a deep and rich source, a condensation of Salesian spirituality and educative and pastoral methodology.
“This dream at 9 years of age is a real kaleidoscope of themes that interact with each other, making it a genuine communicative ecosystem of images, sounds, words, actions, interactions, emotions, tensions, dramas, support and trust. The dream is a true archetype of Don Bosco’s spirituality and Preventive System. From the beginning to the end of the dream we have a common thread that constitutes the message in its entirety. It is as if this 9-year-old’s dream is an educational parable, a seed that gives life to a tree, a beginning that gives life to a life story, the creation of an original work of art.
Precisely for this reason there is great attention throughout the Salesian Family on Strenna and on all the materials that are used to accompany it – especially the poster.
Below is the proposal of the competition created by the Communication Sector: all illustrators, designers and graphic centers of the Congregation and beyond will be able to participate, and will be able to send their proposals to the directory of ANS (Agency of Salesian Information) by September 5th 2023 – in order to submit the various options to the Rector Major with the appropriate time for the printing and dissemination of the poster.
The authors of the first three selected posters will also be honored with a cash prize of € 2,000, 1,250 and 750 respectively.
“We expect a great response from the artists of the Salesian world” – says Fr Harris Pakkam, Director of ANS– iNfo Salesian Information Agency – in conclusion. “The challenge is demanding, but the possibility of being able to represent the Strenna on Don Bosaco’s childhood dream is certainly a very strong incentive for all those who love Don Bosco and the Salesian mission.”