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Language and Cultures
For the Salesians of Don Bosco, the integration of local languages and cultures is not merely a strategy for communication; it is a fundamental principle of their mission known as "Inculturation." They believe that Don Bosco must speak every language and wear every traditional dress to truly be the "Father and Teacher of Youth" worldwide.
The Salesian tradition places strong emphasis on culture as a vital dimension of education and evangelization. Respecting a young person’s cultural identity is seen as the first step in affirming their dignity, while effective pedagogy requires speaking the “language of the heart.” Evangelization, in this spirit, does not erase culture but seeks to purify and elevate it, ensuring the Christian message feels at home in every land.
To preserve and promote cultures across 136 countries, Salesians engage in initiatives such as translating educational and spiritual texts into minority languages, prioritizing mother‑tongue education, and publishing in local dialects. They establish ethno‑cultural museums like the Don Bosco Museum in Shillong, maintain archives of oral traditions, and integrate local music, instruments, and festivals into liturgy and community life. Vocational centers train youth in indigenous crafts, while oratories encourage performing arts rooted in local traditions. Most importantly, Salesians live among marginalized communities, learning their languages and customs, becoming cultural bridges who help these groups engage with modern society without losing their roots.
The Salesian tradition places strong emphasis on culture as a vital dimension of education and evangelization. Respecting a young person’s cultural identity is seen as the first step in affirming their dignity, while effective pedagogy requires speaking the “language of the heart.” Evangelization, in this spirit, does not erase culture but seeks to purify and elevate it, ensuring the Christian message feels at home in every land.
To preserve and promote cultures across 136 countries, Salesians engage in initiatives such as translating educational and spiritual texts into minority languages, prioritizing mother‑tongue education, and publishing in local dialects. They establish ethno‑cultural museums like the Don Bosco Museum in Shillong, maintain archives of oral traditions, and integrate local music, instruments, and festivals into liturgy and community life. Vocational centers train youth in indigenous crafts, while oratories encourage performing arts rooted in local traditions. Most importantly, Salesians live among marginalized communities, learning their languages and customs, becoming cultural bridges who help these groups engage with modern society without losing their roots.
3368
20 October 2025
In a vibrant celebration of heritage and identity, Don Bosco School, Chingmeirong, Manipur, hosted its inaugural two-day cultural festival, “Cultural Extravaganza 2025: My Culture, My Pride,” on October 17–18. The event marked a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to integrating cultural values into education, drawing enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, parents, and community members.
- Santosh Mundu
6474
16 October 2024
Don Bosco Kavarapettai hosted the Migrant Youth Mela 2024, a vibrant gathering to celebrate and empower over 2,100 migrant youth. Organized by Don Bosco Migrant Services under the leadership of Fr. Simolin, Director of Don Bosco Migrant Services, Chennai Province, the event brought together migrants on October 13, 2024. The Mela emphasized cultural unity, skill development, and access to essential support services for the migrant community, particularly its younger members.
- FERK Simolin
8095
28 November 2023
In a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity and unity, the Don Bosco Youth Services of the Province of Bangalore (INK) organized the CUL-EX 2023 event at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Bangalore on November 25 and 26. The event was masterminded under the guidance of Father Uday Kumar, the Regional Youth Director of Karnataka, along with the assistance of Father Kaplikunnel Varghese, the Youth Ministry Delegate of the Bangalore Province, and Father Manu, the Regional Youth Director of Kerala.
- Father Uday Kumar sdb
8936
17 September 2023
In a splendid display of cultural preservation and celebration, Salesian College of Higher Education, Dimapur, Nagaland, hosted a captivating folklore competition on September 16. The event with the theme "Preserving Naga Heritage: Tales of Tradition and Culture" witnessed a gathering of staff, students, and distinguished guests to honour and uphold the rich legacy of the Naga community.
5574
18 March 2022
The International Women`s Day celebrations at Veeralur, Tamil Nadu, focused on natural farming and care for mother earth among 1000 women from 27 villages. The programme organized by Don Bosco Village Integral Animation (VIA) began with Kummi and Kolattam dances.
- YESUBALAN Suresh
7718
7 March 2022
In a post-Covid outreach programme to connect with the local community, Radio Salesian journalists reached one of the far-flung tea gardens in Mirik Sub-Division, Murmah Tea Estate. Radio Salesian RJ team Wang, Garima, Bandana and Pratap with Senior RJs Moses, Rejina and Programme Co-ordinator RJ Samir visited Murmah Tea Estate on March 5, 2022.
- C.M. Paul
4213
15 February 2022
The new Assamese Bible (Catholic Edition) was released at a devout function on February 14, 2022, at Don Bosco Institute (DBI), Guwahati, by Archbishop John Moolachira in the presence of Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil, Dr Rev BJ Syiemlieh, Rev Phidolis Dkhar, Dr Makhanlal Das, students of DBI and other guests. The Catholic Edition of the Assamese Bible is a long drawn ecumenical effort coordinated by Father Lukose Cheruvalel SDB.
- John Parankimalil
6728
17 November 2021
On the 25th Year of the Indian Catechetical Association, in collaboration with the sector on the Dimension of Education to Faith of the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia (SPCSA), a webinar on `Faces of Faith in Pandemic and Post-Pandemic, ` went online from November 15. The international webinar has the presence of bishops, clergy, nuns and lay- faithful from several countries.
- Ms. Raynah Braganza
10732
6 November 2020
A four-day long joint virtual meeting of the Social Communication Delegates, Bulletin Editors, Publishers and Radio Directors of South Asia and East Asia was inaugurated on Nov. 5th 2020 by Rev. Gildasio Mendes, General Councillor for Social Communication.
- BIS Correspondent
9075
23 October 2020
`Yesu Tu Hei Mera Malik` is a Christian devotional song composed by Fr. Ashok Kujur Chere SDB. The duet along with Mariata Surin has delighted the listeners and has become viral among young people.
- Thoombalan Babu Varghese
2229
19 October 2020
Darjeeling, 19 October 2020: The West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (WBMLLDB) Chairman Ren. Lyangsong Tamsang launched Lepcha language program on Radio Salesian 90.8 FM, 19 October 2020.
- C.M. Paul
11161
22 August 2020
Vice Provincial of Shillong Salesian Province [INS],Father (Dr) John Zosiama`s new book ``The Harlotry of Babylon: An Exegetico-Theological Study of Revelation 17 with Special Reference to the use of Porneia in the Book of Revelation,`` a modified version of his doctoral thesis at the Angelicum-University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome was released by Shillong Salesian Provincial Father Paul Olphindro Lyngkot, on 20 Aug 2020, at Don Bosco Provincial House, Shillong.
- Father Michael Makri
8144
13 August 2020
The Salesian Province of Hyderabad expresses its immense gratitude Father Silveira Savio -Convener Don Bosco Green Alliance and Mumbai Salesians` Provincial for animating its confreres on `Getting to know the Green Alliance` in the context of an online webinar organized on August 13 2020. The Province of Hyderabad, have taken up Laudato Si` as one of the priorities of the Province for this academic year in response to the call of the Holy Father and have also created a sub-commission for the same in order to join the efforts for a safe and sustainable future.
- Father Baly Yerramaneni
21647
12 August 2020
On 05 August, on the Foundation Day of the Salesian Province of Tiruchy, `Retreat-Don Bosco` Yercaud completed the 21-day training course in Nursery and Nature Preservation `Project CALLS` supported by Jugend Eine Welt of Austria and Don Bosco Network South Asia. Through this programme, people got to Learn-Work-Earn their livelihood.
Yercaud being a hill station, people earn their living through tourism and the travel industry. With the lockdown continuously extended, the people, especially in the hill-station left with nothing to survive, managed to learn, work and earn through the Shevaroyhills Tribal Development Institute [STDi].
- BISSouthAsia Correspondent
14566
4 August 2020
The paintings of Salesian Brother Mathew John Puthanangady, of the Salesian Province of New Delhi [INN], depict a wide range of style, subject matter and fine technique of oil painting, which has helped him achieve international recognition. The various pictures of landscapes and biblical personalities painted by Mathew John are considered masterpieces and they adorn the walls of Don Bosco Institutions in India and abroad.
- Father Babu Varghese
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