‘Christival’: 13,000 gathered in Erfurt to “share faith and experience Jesus”
The German festival focused on the book of Philippians. Workshops, concerts and interviews with well-known believers encouraged participants to share God’s hope with others.
ERFURT · 30 MAY 2022 · 12:21 CET
Thousands of Christians from Germany and other countries gathered in the city of Erfurt (centre of the country) for ‘Christival’. The theme of the festival was: “Sharing Faith. Experiencing Jesus. Celebrating Life”.
The main plenary sessions were held in the city’s Fair buildings, but much of the programme spread through locations all over Erfurt between 24 and 29 May.
Christival 2022 in Ergurt, Germany. / Photo: Uwe Rannefeld, Christival. The book of Philippians in the New Testament was at the core of the preaching. “At Christival we celebrate that Jesus is the Son of God and our Saviour. The warmongers of this world are not lords over life and death, but the risen Jesus is”, said one of the Bible teachers, Julia Garschagen, according to German outlet Pro Medien Magazin.
Seminars, dialogue forums, live music and other artistic formats combined for a diverse programme in an event that was aimed at people aged 14 to 24. Many youth leaders, pastors and other Christian workers also attended a week that was possible thanks to the work of almost 2,000 volunteers.
Christival 2022 in Ergurt, Germany. / Photo: Marc Schwips, Christival. Comedian Bülent Ceylan, hip hop band O’Bros, and the Minister President of the State of Thüringen, were some of the guests at 'Christival' who spoke about their understanding of the Christian faith.
The organisation said the desire for community and deep contents was palpable after the Covid-19 restrictions of the last couple of years. “The small group dynamics and the contents were absorbed by participants in a manner we have not seen before. Many people filled with faith are sent back to their homes”.
The first edition of Christival was held in 1976. The 2022 edition was the seventh so far. Over 80 Christian organisations are behind the festival. The next edition is planned for 2028.
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