Today and tomorrow, the Gen Verde group will perform their new show La Coperta del Mondo (Patchwork of the World), a multi-cultural and multi-disciplined production which will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at 7.30pm.

Gen Verde is a multi-artistic performing group, formed by 24 women from 14 countries with different cultures and social backgrounds. They sing, dance, act, compose, and perform their own music and organise their own tours.

In their latest spectacle, they spread out a beautiful patchwork of artistic expressions, fusing a multitude of styles from classical music to hip-hop, from traditional to contemporary art expressions.

All these different talents together give rise to an amazing performance. La Coperta del Mondo demonstrates how the union of people can create a splendid pattern, like the union of many small pieces of different colours to form a coherent and beautiful whole. It is a strong symbol of tolerance, justice and solidarity between all nations, which explores the possibility of building a universal kinship in today’s world.

Gen Verde is an artistic expression of the Focolare Movement and draws its inspiration, motivation and vitality from this source. Born in the midst of the hatred and violence of the Second World War, this movement promotes the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood. It was founded in 1943 by Chiara Lubich and a group of friends resolved to base their actions and thoughts on the Gospel. That initial group very soon became a worldwide movement, present today in 182 nations with an audience of over five million people.

The movement is ecumenical and is made up of persons of all ages, races and walks of life. There are many ways to belong to it, ranging from a more committed lifestyle in small communities, like the Gen Verde group, to collaboration in its various activities.

Gen Verde itself was formed during the “swinging Sixties”, when everyone was searching for an absolute and a dream to transform into reality. It all began in the little town of Loppiano in Tuscany, where members of the Focolare Movement use to live together as a community. In 1966, the community of women received, as a Christmas gift, a set of green-coloured (Verde) drums and an electric guitar.

On the other side, the community of men received the same presents but in red (Rosso). And so two musical groups were born: Gen Verde and Gen Rosso, their names expressing a single aspiration: to build a new generation (Gen) upon the ideal of brotherhood.

The Gen Verde aim in particular was to create an all-female group of artists who could use their creative talents to communicate the Gospel’s message of hope and joy. Performing all over the world, their dream is to promote a more united world through art expressions.

Arriving last Monday by catamaran from Sicily, Gen Verde’s first intention was to take time to meet Maltese people, especially the younger generation.

They visited the Junior Lyceum of Saint Therese in Mriehel on Monday afternoon. A special artistic and dialogue programme was prepared for the 450 students present, which included songs and dances from their repertoire. On Wednesday, a similar programme took place in Gozo at Don Bosco Oratory. Gen Verde’s last appointment will be after their two shows, on Sunday 5 November. They will host a music, dance and drama workshop for young people at 2pm at St Joseph School, Blata l-Bajda. Everyone is welcome and can bring his/her own instruments.

Gen Verde has already performed in Malta on three separate occasions during the past 28 years. For those who have enjoyed these shows, as well as for those who will be discovering them for the first time, their new show promises memorable entertainment, as well as a golden opportunity to share and promote the ideals of love and peace.

Ttickets are available at L m5, Lm6 and Lm8 from the booking office of the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Tel: 2559 5751, Email: [email protected]. For more information about the show, please contact [email protected] or Tel: 2138 5801.