In Elven, a French commune located in the Morbihan department in the Brittany region, the community of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit – 14 sisters – undertook to inaugurate the great event of the Olympic Games, which will be celebrated in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024!
For several weeks now, the “artists” have been busy making the Flame and a painting symbolising the Games: the rings and the motto “Higher, faster, stronger”. Proud of the results, samples of the flame were shared with members of the community.
On 1 July, D-Day, the official opening of the Olympic Games. 10.30am: everyone is in the courtyard, well wrapped up – because it’s cold – but the warmth and enthusiasm are in everyone’s hearts. Comfortably seated on lawn chairs, we wait for the flame to arrive! And then the music started. With our “batons of majorettes”, we begin an ensemble movement, an arrival dance for the flame carried jointly by sisters and employees, all dressed in white… they are going to hand it over to Nathalie, our coordinator and official President of the Games, accompanied by 2 neighbors and friends: Marie-Thérèse and Annie.
Welcoming us, Nathalie gave the opening speech: “Celebrating the Games,” she said, “is celebrating vitality, talent and the spirit of fraternity. It is with pride and joy that I receive today the Olympic flame, a symbol of peace, unity, and passion… It embodies the spirit that drives us all: that of pushing back our limits, sharing moments of joy and building unforgettable memories together.
Today sees the start of an extraordinary adventure that will run from 1 July to 1 August. During this month, our talented competitors, divided into teams, will compete in a series of diverse and exciting events. These events will showcase not only their skills and talents, but also their spirit of cooperation and joie de vivre. The Games are much more than just a competition. They are a real tribute to caring, sharing and joie de vivre. They will help to build relationships and strengthen solidarity between the participants, as well as with the employees. Throughout these events, I invite everyone to show respect and mutual encouragement, and to celebrate each small victory with joy.
It is with great pride and joy that I officially declare the Elven 2024 Olympic Games open. Thank you all! Long live the Olympic spirit, long live fraternity, and let the party begin!”
After these intense and fraternal moments, we were invited to the main hall for a carefully prepared aperitif, a Breton “kir au cidre” with a variety of toasts and mignardises… Once again, a moment of friendship, exchange, joy and fraternity!
May the Games that are about to begin stimulate us, challenge us and give us shared joy.
The community of Elven. Published on 12 July 2024
