Art Festival for the Disabled in Smolensk

The opening ceremony of the Art Festival for the Disabled "Together we can do more!" took place in Smolensk. For the first time the Festival brought together children and adults with disabilities. The event was organized by the All-Russian Society of the Disabled and was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the organization.

The purpose of the festival is to join efforts of organizations of the disabled and other state and public organizations, to raise awareness of a large number of Russians of the problems people with disabilities face, to show that they are valuable members of society. In order to do it people with disabilities, the best of whom will present the Smolensk region at the All-Russia Art Festival in mid-August, gathered at the sports complex "Smena".

Deputy Governor Olga Vasilyeva greeted the disabled from the Smolensk region. "Your being here is a holiday for us. The holiday which we all long for. As well as a good mood, faith, hope and love which you have and generously share with us. The festival always means new discoveries, realization of what a man can do. You are very talented. You're talented not only in dancing, singing and poetry, you are talented in having souls full of love and kindness to the nearest and dearest", - said the Vice-Governor.

After wishing the contestants success, happiness and health, Olga Vasilyeva looked round the exposition of art and craft works created by the festival participants, where every exhibit was worth special attention.

At the Festival there were a number of thematic platforms at which the disabled form the Smolensk region could compete in dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, as well as literary works. In addition, master classes and creative workshops took place at the festival.