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The WCER delegates who gathered in Bologna, Italy (2010.08. 26-29) at our yearly conference came to the decision that hence forward our name should be changed to the European Congress of Ethnic Religions. The word "World" shall be "European" instead. Why did we decide to focus only on Europe? Thirteen years have passed since the creation of the Congress in 1998 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Every year, conferences were organized in various European countries, and it turned out that that the Congress actually unites only people of European indigenous traditions, even though the congress is open to all other traditions.
This year Bologna saw a gathering of representatives from Italian, Danish, Norwegian, German, French, Greek, Lithuanian, Latvian, Portuguese, Czech, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian ethnic religions. It was decided that the main concern for us all is Europe's ancient spiritual traditions. There is a lot of unity among us, and we feel the need to come together. The main point in all our discussions has been that Europe suffers the most because of its traditions' weakness, especially in the spiritual sense. As oriental cults thrive, European traditions are seen as obsolete, which can exist only in a museum. However, we have now begun to understand and cherish the importance and value of our own indigenous traditions. We also decided to strengthen our ties with the Parliament of World Religions, and to work together with India's cultural and religious organizations.
The above now means that the AVA is no longer a member as an organization, but, I am a member as the American representative of Romuva in the USA, and any AVA member who descends from or follows an indigenous European tradition is welcome to join the ECER. Contact Jonas Trinkunas at trinkunas@romuva.lt for information.
August 24-30, Bologna Italy
I attended the conference as a representative of AVA and Romuva USA. Had a great time with Lars and Seren of Fiorn-Sidr(?) from Denmark, and Geza von Nemyni from Germany. Andras Corben was in attendance as well, and had just come from Romuva Summer camp at my village in Lithuania. One of these years, I'll make it to camp. 2012 may be in Denmark. If so, I'll post a trip and info so we can go to Denmark and Lithuania afterwards. Andras invited me to Rites of Spring (near Boston) for 2011. Alex DelBusso and I shall probably drive down after Gaia Gathering we're both attending in Montreal the weekend before.
