Rostock (dpa/mv) – With the attendance of services on New Year’s Day, the 45th European Taizé Youth Meeting in Rostock came to an end on Sunday for numerous participants. After lunch together with the hosts, many made their way home by bus and train. Since Wednesday, around 5,000 young people from 49 countries have been praying, singing and discussing in workshops with the brothers of the Taizé order. The Taizé Community is a Christian ecumenical order in France.

Prior Frère Alois thanked the people of Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania for the reception on behalf of all the brothers: “We are very happy that the meeting has taken place now and with joy – and this in these difficult times in which we find ourselves. We need moments of joy like that.” The 46th edition of the European Taizé Youth Meeting will be hosted by the Slovenian capital Ljubljana at the end of this year. The date is December 28th to January 1st, 2024.