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Ivana Leal Silva
Raisky:
“Our yearly
Congress is a
reflection of
the thriving
Spiritist
Movement in
Goiás”
The President of
the Spiritist
Federation of
the Brazilian
State of Goiás
talks about
their yearly
Congress
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Ivana Leal Silva
Raisky
(photo), a
Spiritist since
1990, is the
President of the
Spiritist
Federation of
Goiás. She lives
in the state
capital, Goiânia,
in Brazil’s
centre-western
region. She is a
speech therapist
specialised in
Education. In
this interview
she talks about
the vibrant
Spiritist
Congress
organised yearly
by the Goiás
Federation.
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You held this
year the 31st
Congress, which
was very dynamic
and attended by
a great number
of people. Let
us know a bit
more about the
Spiritist
Movement in
Goiás. |
The Congress
holds a central
role in the
Spiritist
Movement of our
state. As soon
as we finish one
edition we begin
organising the
next one. We had
members from 21
Brazilian states
joining us this
year. The
Congress is a
reflection of
the thriving
Spiritist
Movement in
Goiás state,
with more than
500 Spiritist
Centres spread
across its
territory. More
than 1,500 took
part in this
year’s event,
held during the
carnival
holidays, in
February.
What are the
biggest
challenges of
organising such
a large-scale
event?
There are so
many details to
be planned. An
important factor
is the help from
the state
government,
which allows us
to use the
convention
centre free of
charge. But we
still need to be
very careful not
to overspend.
The Federation’s
aim is not to
make money with
the Congress,
but to give the
best to those
taking part,
inviting the
best Spiritist
speakers
available in the
country. We have
also invested in
broadcast the
Congress through
the Internet so
those who are
not able to join
us can still
benefit. In
order to meet
the costs, we
also get
donations from a
number of
private
companies.
How much joy do
you get of
holding an event
like that?
It is difficult
to put it in
words. It is
very gratifying
to be part of a
team of
volunteers.
Hearing the
experiences from
other volunteers
and people
attending the
congress, when
they highlight
the importance
of including the
whole family,
all that is like
taking part in a
spiritual feast.
Thank God we can
rely on a big
and wonderful
team, people who
are totally
dedicated and
committed to the
organisation of
the event. They
give up the
opportunity of
attending the
events in order
to give their
best and welcome
everyone else.
Is there any
particular
experience you
would like to
share with us?
The remarkable
factor of the 31st
Congress was the
participation of
young people in
all the process
of organisation
of the event.
The main theme
was “Heaven and
Hell, Myth or
Truth,” marking
the 150th
anniversary of
the publication
of the Allan
Kardec book. Our
youth committee
proposed the
focus and events
to be part of
the Congress and
those were
adopted not only
for the youth
part of
Congress, but
also for its
main body. It
was very
gratifying to
see all young
people so
involved and so
mature. Another
important aspect
was the multi
faith panel,
with the
participation of
a Presbyterian
pastor and a
Catholic priest.
The panel shed
further light
into our
reflections on
the theme of
heaven and
hell.
Is there
anything else
you would like
to add?
We, the
Spiritist
Federation of
Goiás, were very
happy with the
fact that we
were able to
publish five
books during the
event and that
we were able to
sell so many
books. We thank
all the authors
who were kind
enough to launch
their books
during our
Congress. I
would also like
to take the
opportunity to
invite everyone
to join us for
our Congress in
2016, which will
be held
traditionally
during the
carnival
festivities,
between 6th
and 9th
February next
year. For more
information,
please visit our
website,
www.feego.org.br.
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