Bible Festival 2013 in Ogre, 27.08.-01.09.

From 27 August to 1 September, the “Bible Festival” will take place in Ogre, during which residents of Ogre will have the opportunity to get to know the world's most popular book - the Bible - in various attractive ways. The aim of the festival is to remind people of this Book's uniqueness and influence on human culture and development, and also to introduce the Bible's main message. The festival venue is Ogre Square and the nearby pedestrian street area.

This year the Bible Festival in Ogre will already take place for the ninth year, but unlike other years, this year for the first time there will be an opportunity not only to listen to Bible readings and musical concerts, but also to hear various lectures, view a Bible exhibition, take part in a “talk show with pastors”, and participate in various activities intended for families and children.

In a specially created tent at Brivibas 30 from Wednesday to Friday it will be possible to hear various lectures about the Bible, for example “What makes the Bible unique”, “Is the Bible relevant today”, “Bible prophecies”, “The Bible and other religions”, “The Bible and credit”, and others. In this tent people will be able to spend time in conversation with clergy, purchase spiritual literature, and also take part in special Bible studies for beginners, after which each participant will be able to receive a New Testament as a gift.

In Ogre Square from 10:00 to 18:00 everyone will be able to listen to readings from Holy Scripture, and after 19:00 follow musical performances and addresses on spiritual topics. On Thursday evening everyone will have the opportunity to ask their questions to clergy of various denominations in a “talk show with pastors”.

Saturday will be devoted to families with children, with activities, games, and inflatable attractions. Visitors will also be able to see the “Rabbit Kingdom”, watch the clown group “Mirabilibus” perform, and take part in contests. On Sunday, at the close of the festival, there will be an open-air service for every city resident at 11:00, and at 13:00 the festival closing programme.

“This year, together with the Latvian Evangelical Alliance, we have formed a broader team from Ogre churches to organize a festival in honour of the Bible. Unfortunately it seems that many among the Latvian people do not value this unique book available in the Latvian language, which can change people's lives. I am convinced that people of all ages will be able to learn interesting facts about the Bible and spend meaningful time. As a church preacher, I am glad for the opportunity to be closer to society outside church walls, to be available to those who want to learn more about the Bible and God,” says Dainis Pandars, preacher of Ogre Trinity Baptist Church.

Anita Ausjuka, organizer of cultural events for Ogre city municipality, acknowledges: “such festivals are very important for Ogre residents, because they make people stop in the great rush of work and think about spiritual values. Since there are people who do not usually go to churches, this will be an opportunity for them as well to stop, listen to the Bible, and think. It is a joy that among the festival organizers there is no strict division by denomination. People of all denominations will be able to participate in the festival, because God is one and we also must be united. It is a great joy that this festival has thought about all generations, and that the Bible readings and informational part will be complemented by cultural events - music, family activities, and various performances.”

Everyone can read the Bible Festival programme and additional information on draugiem.lv