The 6th European Vegetarian Congress will take place from 21st to 26th September 1997 at Bussolengo in northern Italy close to beautiful Lake Garda and to the historic city of Verona and its international airport. Simultaneous translation in English will be provided; professional translation for other language groups requires a minimum of 30 registered participants.

A variety of lectures, seminars and workshops by professional speakers and vegetarian/vegan animal rights activists from various countries are planned as well as excursions and sightseeing tours to Verona, Lake Garda, Venice and a two-day guided hiking tour with an overnight stay in a mountain hut on Monte Baldo (2,200 m). The venue of the congress is the three-star Hotel Centro Turistico Gardesano, but cheaper accommodation is also available at nearby two-star hotels, hostels and camping grounds. A delicious sampling of Mediterranean vegan cuisine will be provided.

There is a congress registration fee of L250,000 lire (approx. £100.00 or $150.00), and the total cost of all congress meals is L300,000. Total costs per person for the six-day congress - including registration fee and full board accommodation at the Centro Turistico Gardesano Hotel - is L970,000 lire single, L820,000 lire each for two people sharing and L790,000 lire each for a three-bedded arrangement. Children up to three years of age, sharing a bed with parents, pay L 180,000 lire. Children up to the age of twelve get a 30 per cent. reduction on adult rates.

For registration and further details, please contact:

Associazione Vegetariana Itallana (A VI) Via XXV Aprile 41 I-20026 Novate Milanese (Mi), Italy. Tel / Fax (39) 2 33240348. Tel. (39) 45 597943. (for hotel / camping information and reservations). E-mail vegetarian.eurocong@agora.stm.it

For general information: International Vegetarian Union (IVU) P.O. Box 38.130 - 28080 Madrid, Spain. TeL (34)1 331 99 60 Fax (34)1 332 14 16 E-mail: secretary@ivu.org

Sunday 21st September

Afternoon: Formal Opening of the Congress: words of greeting from the IVU General Secretary and from representatives of local and international organisations.

First Session: "Ethics, Spirituality and Vegetarianism".

Monday 22nd September

Afternoon: Excursion to Verona (Optional, cost not included in congress fee) - or workshop on "Christianity and the Vegetarian Option" led by Professor Luciano Valle, National Director of the Gregory Bateson Institute.

Tuesday 23rd September

Afternoon: Session: "Food quality, vegetarianism and animal farming" - biotechnology and genetic engineering; organic agriculture.

Wednesday 24th September

Thursday 25th September

Afternoon"Vegetarianism and Degenerative Disease" - diet as prevention and therapy in relation to diabetes, cancer HIV AIDS, arteriosclerosis, etc.

Friday 26th September

Afternoon: Workshop on Music Therapy with Ida Sommovigo.

Evenings: dinner followed by entertainment

Speakers:

• His excellency the Dalai Lama (special guest)
• Adria Granelli doctor of food technology
• Alessandro Giań Greenpeace Italy
• Anna Maria Procacci Member of Italian Parliament, Social Affairs Committee
• Armando D'Elia graduate in chemistry and natural science, honorary president of Italian Vegetarian Society scientific committee
• Elena Fiorani Lecturer in epistemology at Milan state university
• Francisco Martin General Secretary, International Vegetarian Union and president of Spanish Vegan Society
• Gianni Davinato doctor of food technology, president of the Italian Consumers Association (ACU)
• Giuseppe Cocca medical doctor , Italian Vegetarian Society scientific committee
• Helmut Kaplan philosopher and author, Animal Peace ethics consultant
• Juliet Gellatley Vegetarians International Voice for Animals
• Luciano Valle National Director , Gregory Bateson Institute
• Luis Vallejo Rodriguez medical doctor and author of health books
• Max Haerri Sundary movement
• Maxwell G. Lee Deputy President, International Vegetarian Union
• Michael Klaper medical doctor and nutrition expert
• Peter Cox author of books on vegetarianism
• Riccardo Trespidi medical doctor, Italian Vegetarian Society scientific committee

The venue for the 6th European Vegetarian Congress is the three-star Hotel Centro Turistico Gardesano, where the majority of participants will be lodged. The hotel is located in a peaceful setting with magnificent views of the surrounding green hills of the Veronese hinterland. It is part of a modern complex with full facilities such as conference rooms, swimming pool, sauna, etc. All rooms have bath or shower and balcony. Small companion animals are welcome. Alternative accommodation at two-star hotel, hostel or camping ground is also available at nearby Lake Garda or in Verona.

Talks, seminars and workshops will be followed by a daily programme of evening entertainment. Optional excursions are planned to Verona, Venice and Lake Garda, and a two-day hike at the end of the congress (27-28 September) to the heights of Monte Baldo, with ovemight accommodation in a mountain hut.

Mediterranean vegan food will be provided for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is included in the price of the hotel.

How to get there

International travellers will arrive by air at Verona's Valeno Catullo airport, take a bus to Verona station and then to Bussolengo. Those arriving by train can also take the bus to Bussolengo from Verona station.

Please fill in the registration form and mail it to the organisers:

Associatione Vegetariana Italiana (AVI)
Via XXV Aprile Milanese (Mi), Italy
Tel / Fax: (39) 2 33240348

See you there!