There is much interest and anticipation about the next General Assembly in Kolkata. Many people are beginning to ask questions about accommodation, climate, and vaccinations. Here is some practical – and not so practical but interesting – information to help you in your preparations. More information is available on L’Arche International’s website www.larche.org.

Why was India chosen to host this assembly?
India was the third country to welcome L’Arche after France and Canada but there has never yet been an international federation meeting of any kind here – all previous ones having been held in either Europe or North America. Next year, the first L’Arche community in India will be 38 years old, and the youngest community in the country will be 31 years old – time to welcome the rest of the federation!

Also, with the welcome of India into the federation, there came an opening up to faiths other than Christian. All previous international meetings have been hosted in Christian settings, often Roman Catholic, with a Hindu element included in just one of the prayers during the week. Next year, for the first time ever we will be in a country where Christians are a tiny minority. We will be opened up to a different way of seeing, celebrating, understanding God. We will be welcomed as a General Assembly in the middle of the greatest Bengali Hindu celebration, that which celebrates the mother goddess, Durga.

Why was Kolkata chosen to host this assembly?
There are three people strongly associated with Kolkata and who speak to us in L’Arche in one way or another: Mother Theresa, Gandhi and Tagore.

Mother Theresa needs no introduction – indeed she is now known as Theresa of Kolkata. Many people in our community in Kolkata were welcomed from the homes of her sisters or brothers. She gave her life for the poor of our world and her joyful faith inspires many even today.

Tagore was born, lived and died in Kolkata. His poems, particularly the ones in his book, ‘Gitanjali’, have often been quoted by Jean Vanier in talks and retreats and are loved by many in L’Arche, Tagore’s spirituality resounding with that of our communities.

Gandhi came to Kolkata around the time of India’s independence to end the rioting there between Hindus and Muslims. His last great fast – for non-violence and peace between people of different faiths – was in Kolkata. It is referred to as ‘the miracle of Kolkata’ and was probably the bravest thing he ever undertook. The values Gandhi lived by are the values we too, try to live.