The centre organised a commemorative ceremony recalling the history and role of the Salesian centre in the educational and social life of Logroño. The students welcomed the guests in the courtyard, where they sang a hymn composed for the occasion and unveiled the 75th-anniversary banner in the courtyard gallery.

Following the brief ceremony, the authorities and guests visited the exhibition of vintage photographs set up in the school chapel, before concluding the event in the centre’s Aula Magna with a short talk on the role of the Salesian house in the city of Logroño.

Speakers at this stage included the Centre’s Director, Fr Iñaki Fernández Lerena; the Superior of the Salesians of the Spain’s St James the Greater province (SSM) , Fr Fernando García; the local Bishop, Ordinary of La Calzada, Santo Domingo-Logroño, Bishop Santos Montoya; the Mayor of Logroño, Conrado Escobar; and the President of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, Dr Gonzalo Capellán.

In their speeches, all of them highlighted the important work carried out by María Teresa Gil de Gárate who, following the example of Don Bosco, carried on her work to assist the most needy young people in the city of Logroño.

All those present were given a small souvenir commemorating the day. Then, at 5.00 pm local time, a gathering was held for Past Pupils.

Furthermore, the following day, Thursday 16 April, the school organised a round-table discussion attended by representatives from key organisations and institutions in La Rioja: The celebrations will conclude over the weekend with a theatrical performance by “Sapo Producciones”, followed by a community lunch, designed as a time for gathering and shared celebration among students, families, Past Pupils and friends of the centre.

• Carlos Prieto Lezaun, (Moderator), Director of Partnerships, Institutions and Development at the University of La Rioja (UNIR);
• Miguel Ángel Fernández Torroba, Deputy Minister for Education, Universities and Vocational Formation of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja;
• Luis Daniel Marín Bueno, Director General of Vocational Formation;
• Eva Sanz Arazur, Rector of the University of La Rioja;
• Maite Seoane Sánchez, Head of Formation, Employment and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Federation of Enterprises of La Rioja (FER);
• Miguel Esquiroz, Coordinator of Vocational Formation at the Salesian schools.

To conclude the celebrations, on Sunday 19 April a solemn Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of La Rioja in the school chapel, after which there will be time for a moment of fraternal fellowship centred on local culinary traditions.

Source: Salesianos.info