Croatia: Festival Of Equal Opportunities For People With Disabilities

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