Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. The 26th of May 2012, from 11am to 11pm, the V Dialogue Symposium between Cultures, in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias took place. It was organized, as every year, by the Humanist Centre of Cultures. More than 1000 people participated in the Festival.

The V symposium was a day of celebration, meeting friends, getting to know some new ones. It was a day full of music, dance, speeches and stories; a day to smile, to feel stronger and accompanied. A day to feel, that it is possible to change the world and to change ourselves.

Many musicians and artist attended to the act: Daniel Cano, Niño Stanton, Colombia Macondo folk group; Fermín Romero, Repercusión Canaria, Sound Power; Renacer Andino, Eduardo Antón, Multicultural Association Sta. Cruz de Bolivia, Javier, Jana, Andes Marka, Marifé, Elena, Paco Lezcano.

Very diverse communities took part in the festival such as: “El Mensaje de Silo”, “AsambleaSchamann del 15 M”, “Red en Defensa de los Servicios Sociales”, “OtraEducaciónesposible”, “Coordinadorapor la SanidadPública y de Calidad”, “Asociación Zuleima”, “RepercusiónCanaria”, “Asociación FridaKhalo”, “ComisiónBeñesmer”, “Mujerespor la Paz”. “Acción Solidaria con Palestina”, “Asociación Canaria de Solidaridad con el Pueblo Saharaui”, “Falun Dafa”, “Stop Desahucios”, “Radio Guiniguada”,all of them trying to find what they had in common.

The selfless collaboration of so many good people, as Javier and Manu, who were on “duty” all day long; many people who helped us with resources: they helped us to transport material, helped with the sound,lighting, and so on; they spread the information about the symposium; they supported us being there with their stands and information about their associations. Thanks to all of them, the list is endless and of best human quality.

This little humble work was the reason why we enjoyed that Saturday. We showed again that adding what everyone can offer, adding other intentions in the same direction, can give space to something interesting that seemed impossible at the beginning. Many sand grains can build a mountain.

We have to thank to all the volunteers, the ones we know and the ones we do not. Thanks to all those people who help us doing something; people who spend their time and energy doing those things that do not give money; to build ambits of communication, to fight for our rights, to help others… Thanks to those who are asked everyday: why do you do this? Is it worth it? What do you get from it? Sometimes, you do not even know what to answer and you feel tired, like subdued. So you think: Why am I doing this? Wouldn’tit be better to spend my time with my things and my life? Earn more money, work longer hours to earn more money, to have more money. Although,it happens that you have more money but it does not make you happy, or that you have more free time to watch TV but it is not fulfilling. At the end, every beautiful part of your heart dies.

But that volunteer is one of those privileged who knows it is better to give than to get; when you fight for life, joy arises, and faith and hope arise. He or she may not have enough money to buy the best car or to have a house with a swimming pool, or maybe they do. But in some way his or her life has a balance and everything works out eventually because his/her purpose can move mountains.

Pictures’ album: https://picasaweb.google.com/102534036619208204023/VJornadaDialogoEntreCulturas

Contact:
Centro Humanista de las Culturas
Federation Convergence of Cultures
Tel: 653 349 609 / 677 873 175 / 685 649 085 /
C/. La Pelota,21 - 2º B /
35001 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
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Translated to English by Sarai Martín-Grande Morales