It was a successful start for the Frari Youth Centre’s initiative aimed at young people: around 25 young people left their mobile phones at the entrance last Saturday to take part in the first session of the ‘Tech-Free Evenings’, where fun and socialising are free from technology. The young people – some under-18s, others over 18 – found board games, table football and table tennis in the patronato’s hall: split into different groups, they played chess, Jenga, ‘Don’t Get Angry’, cards, Shanghai, Dungeons & Dragons… This experience will be repeated on 28 November, preceded on Thursday 26 (as on this first occasion) by a themed session: the next one will be dedicated to contemporary music.
The ‘Tech-Free Evenings’ have the dual aim of providing a place to socialise without the interference of technology and an alternative form of entertainment to going round the bars and clubs, which seems to be the only activity currently on offer in the city for our young people. On these evenings, teenagers are invited to enter the theatre after handing in their smartphones at the Patronato’s office, choosing whether to place them in the charging station or in a designated locker. Once they have left their mobiles at the ‘cloakroom’, the young people can enjoy table tennis, table football, and tables where they can challenge each other to games of chess, cards, role-playing games or board games.
At the heart of the time spent together lies the relationship and the interaction with others through games, sport, a chat and a few snacks.
This year, the Frari have scheduled four evenings, Doors open at 7 pm: following the event on Saturday 24 October, there will be another event on 28 November, then on Saturday 3 April and 8 May. If the initiative proves popular with young people, we will consider adding further dates .
A programme of reflection for parents and teenagers. Alongside this initiative aimed at very young people, the Frari Parish is offering a programme of reflection for and amongst adults – in particular parents and those responsible for the education of teenagers – which will take place on the Thursday immediately preceding each Tech-Free evening. The first session took place on Thursday 22 October: ‘Magnificent Intelligence and Artificial Humanity’ will feature Dr Teresa Scantamburlo, former diocesan president of Catholic Action and currently a lecturer in responsible and sustainable AI at the University of Trieste.
This first meeting, which is open to all, will be followed by three further Thursday sessions focusing on issues relating to adolescence, aimed primarily at parents, teachers and educators of very young people. On Thursday 26 November, the topic will be the music young people listen to today; and in spring 2027, on Thursday 1 April (topic: anger and conflict) and 6 May (topic: vulnerability and young people’s mental health).
For Infrmation: patronatodeifrari@gmail.com.
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