At the end of every yearDates
28 December 2013 to 1 January 2014.
Coming early as a helper
We need a good number of volunteer helpers to arrive on 26 December. They can help in various ways:
welcoming people who arrive on 28 December; work teams (meal distribution, cleaning, preparing the prayer halls, etc.); supporting the organising group in a local church; singing in the choir (please indicate on your registration).
Those who arrive on the 26 December take part fully in the programme of the meeting from 28 December onwards.
N.B. Young adults arriving on 28 December can also help in work teams or the choir.
Age
The European Meetings are for young adults between the ages of 17 and 35.
Young people under 18
Young people aged under 18 must bring with them a form giving written parental authorisation. The form names a leader to be legally responsible for them during the meeting.
Please check whether authorisation is needed for leaving your home country as well.
16 is the minimum age for participants. 16 year olds must arrive on 28 December and be accompanied by a leader (one male leader for each two boys and one female leader for each two girls). These leaders remain with the 16 year olds throughout the meeting and will be given accommodation with the same family.
Adults over 35 and families
European Meetings are not intended for adults over 35, unless they are leading a group of young people. Other adults and families with children are warmly invited to come to Taizé instead. For information about meetings for adults and families, please see here.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be mostly with those who live in the region, in the towns and villages on either side of the French-German border. Some may perhaps need to stay in church halls, schools, etc. Everyone should bring a camping mat and a sleeping bag. Young adults with disabilities should register by 1 November so that appropriate accommodation can be found.
Cost
Your contribution covers meals, local transport, the hire of the meeting places, equipment, and other costs of the meeting. The level of contribution varies according to the cost of living in different countries.
In October, exact levels of contribution will be published on this page. In the meantime reckon with the following approximate costs for those from English-speaking countries:
Young people up to 35 years: € 75 (euros)
Adults over 35 years: € 115
Young adults arriving on 26 December contribute the same amount. If older adults are leading a youth group, they can contribute the same amount as young adults.
Journey and preparation
Plan to arrive in Strasbourg on the morning of 28 December between 8 am and 12 noon, or before 3 pm on 26 December. We cannot welcome you on 25 or 27 December! Departure on 1 January. Groups leaving by coach should fix their departure time for 5 pm or later.
Preparation material will be published on the Taizé website over the course of the next months.
From the UK
A page on Facebook to meet up with others to travel together to Strasbourg can be found here.
Registration
Online registration will be available on this page from September 2013 onwards. Group leaders should register as early as possible (before 1 November) with an initial estimate of the number they will be bringing. Further details can be added as people sign up. Registration deadline: 1 December.
Meeting flyer
- Click image to download the flyer (pdf) for the meeting
