He was baptized on Sunday, four days later he was at the IYC: At three months Rouven is one of the youngest IYC participants.

"When we decided to go to the IYC, we did not know yet how our child would be also experience this," says Conny from Frankfurt. In December 2018 Conny and her husband Norman decided to participate in the IYC, a few weeks before Rouvens was born. The original idea to spend the night on the campsite was let go, instead they moved to an Airbnb apartment. The bathroom they share with the residents of a second apartment - also Youth Convention participants. "When we have the window open, we can hear the music from the IYC," Conny says happily. On the IYC premises itself, everything went right the first time. "Registration was a little confusing, but here everything is straightforward," says Norman.

Stay flexible

After the first night the young family relaxes the day. But the paths are long, and it does not always go as fast as you want with a stroller. Result: The time until the beginning of a lecture is scarce. "But you can find solutions," says Norman. "We watched the event over a coffee on Facebook." Rouven cannot do much with sin and guilt anyway.

At 5 pm, the young parents want to listen to the interview with priest Tilo Wolff, singer of the band Lacrimosa. They leave on time on the short route Hall 6 to Hall 5. There is still plenty of space, but just before sitting down comes a helper. So that the escape routes remain free, the stroller must not be in the corridor, but must be brought to the end of the hall. No problem, everything important, especially a blanket for Rouven, is taken out and that's it. A few heavy metal sounds do not shock Rouven. Conny made sure that the speakers are not too close. For the adults, the interview is very entertaining and interesting, Rouven acts at the beginning also quite interested, lying on the blanket on daddy's lap. But the longer it takes, the more important the pacifier becomes as a silencer. At some point, mum has to take over and only a walk in the corridor helps. Fortunately, with 400 participants it is much fuller than expected, but rather empty for the big hall. It does not bother much if you get up in between times. Rouven fell asleep at the end of the event. Conny's conclusion: "It was a bit tiring for Rouven and me."

The main thing: blessing

The parents are very happy with Saturday's progress, even if everything does not always work out. A steward thinks it is funny to make a funny sound with the megaphone in the hall, and this not only terrifies Rouven. The lecture that Norman wants to visit is unfortunately already fully booked. He wishes to find a synopsis on the internet for each event so that the IYC can have an impact.

Anyone heard a baby screaming on Sunday in the arena? It wasn't Rouven. Because the family area in the arena was full, the three watched the service in the food hall on the tablet. "When it got too loud there, we went to Hall 6 and saw helpers, who also followed the service. So we were able to witness the rest and even received the Lord's Supper", says Conny happily. IYC with baby? It works.