Photo: Pixsell
It’s occurring now, May 27 to 29 – Festival of Equal Opportunities (F = M) or I=You in Croatia’s capital Zagreb and 2014 is its 13th year!
The purpose of the festival is to present the creative possibilities program, spreading the message that people with disabilities should enjoy the same rights and obligations as other citizens. It’s about advocating for the removal of barriers in access and participation of people with disabilities in the normal community life. It’s about making a difference to achieve social inclusion. It’s about celebrating abilities of people with disabilities. It’s a unique festival held in Europe. What a fantastic event – an event every country should hold at least once a year. I am so proud of Croatia and the city of Zagreb for keeping up with this very worthwhile festival.
This year, 2014, on Ban Jelacic Square in Zagreb, over the three days of the Festival, there are 900 performers from Croatia and abroad participating in the event and 600 of those are people with disabilities. Activities span from musical, drama, art and educational-recreational as well as sports areas.
Hope you enjoy these photographs from the Festival and, if you already have not: spread the word and actions in your community that affirm people with disabilities as equal members of the community. Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)
Please click on photos to enlarge
Photo:Cropix
Photo:Cropix
Photo: Pixsell
Photo: Pixsell
Photo: Pixsell
Photo: Pixsell
“I can do everything”
Make the Real Click
Include Us Too
Photo: 24 sata.hr
Photo: blog.vecernji.hr
Photo: Pixsell
RSS - Posts
Great insight article. Greetings.
Thanks, Jalal – working towards social inclusion for people with disabilities is something we all owe to society I think and human life
Very true ,God bless the society that helps it’s needy and helpless persons.Wishing you the best.JMS
Great, positive article and a nice change of pace from all the political turmoil. We all know there will be plenty of that to go around in the coming days!
Yes, Brankec – I must admit I like the positive ones best but I like writing about negative issues because they exist and since they do exist it is necessary to write and correct the wrongs and move forward into positive.
Wonderful! 😀
I LOVE IT – Kev 😀
Despite all that has gone on in Croatia…they can still blow you away with something like this…how encouraging is that? 😀
Just great stuff, Kev, I agree 🙂
It presents a wave of hope for Croatia’s present and future happiness. 🙂
🙂
This is a wonderful post.. showing just how versatile those with disabilities can be, and how they can contribute within the community .. Working with adults with learning disabilities I have had the pleasure in supporting them in various activities and its been my pleasure… 🙂
Lovely photos and post xxx Hugs Sue
Thanks Sue – I think there’s is just much everyone can do to make a real difference in social inclusion and providing opportunities for people with disabilities to express their skills and contribute more to society. Slowly it’s happening and, oh, what great happening
Yes everyone looked to be having fun… Like you say Ina, its what is lacking, integration and inclusion.. We always take them out into the community to interact and live as normals as possible.. There are however even in this day and age many who are quick to judge a book by its cover… Its shameful how some people still react.. Thankfully they are now getting fewer and far between…
Love and Hugs you way for this wonderful highlight of events for equal opportunities 🙂
I agree, Sue, still those who need to come around but thankfully things are getting better and barriers removed on all levels.
Right cause – a step forward for equality – a beautiful welcome thing
with regards
Such a worthwhile cause, advocatemmmohan – thank you.
Muy digno!
A very worthy cause indeed, Ruben – thank you 🙂
Bon article..
Thank you, jlpiallat 🙂
This is an amazing writing! How wonderful what is being done! May we all follow the example!
An awesome festival for all ages! Thanks for sharing about it.
Thank you, sf 😀
This is a wonderful post and I especially love it because my two sons are autistic. Thanks for this great share. 🙂
I have a special affinity for people with disabilities, moorezart, my day job is in the field and I work tirelessly in achieving community access and taking down the barriers in all walks of life for people with disabilities. It’s been my life – apart from writing and blogging on issues to do with Croatia and transitioning from communism into democracy. Cheers!
I do so respect you. I know this path all too well. People with disabilities do not have the resources, in many cases, to even advocate for themselves and so help from you and others makes an incredible difference in the quality of their lives. I had to stand up and ‘fight’ for over 20 years for both my sons to receive what was needed. I did this as a single parent while working. It was a long haul but now I see two wonderful young men, who without me, would be God knows where. I put my art on hold for 25 years to do all this. Now I am able to see the fruit of this labor. I send you all my positive thoughts in your continued success!
Thank you! The best part of my days is that I make a difference to someone’s life, however small 😀 This field of work is not glamorous but, oh boy, it’s so rewarding! Much progress has been made in stripping off stereotypical thinking in the community, but still lots to be done and I know what you mean when you say you needed to “fight”.