International Festival “The Reflection of Disability in Art”
The 6 th International Festival “The Reflection of Disability in Art” of University of Macedonia was completed with great success. The Head of the Festival, Mrs. Lefkothea Kartasidou, Professor of the Department of Educational and Social Policy of the University of Macedonia, after thanking the volunteers for their valuable contribution to the implementation of all the activities of the Festival, announced the prizes of the competition section. The first prize was awarded to Sarah Leigh for the film "Typical?". The second prize was given to Larissa Nepomuceno for the film "We will be heard", while the third prize was awarded to Amir Athar Soheili & Amir Masoud Soheili for the film "Black rain in my eyes". The Student Award was awarded to Nan Chen for the film "Phoenix". Finally, the Audience Award was given to Andrea Trivero for the film "The man of the trees".
The artistic event started with the Rodi Music Orchestra of the Festival, which together with the choir of the Special High School and Lyceum for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Thessaloniki presented favorite Greek songs. The event continued with the Rodi Music Orchestra and the students of EKEK AmeA of Thessaloniki who recite poems by the poetess Fani Athanasiadou.
The symposium entitled "Social Art: a social practice of art as a reflection of consciousness" was followed. Mrs. Leda Stamou, professor of the Department of Music Science and Art, Mrs. Tina Antonakou, journalist at the Communication Department of the Thessaloniki Film Festival, Mrs. Fani Athanasiadou, disabled poet and Mr. Panos Zournatzidis, disabled actor and theater expert, participated in the panel.
During the discussion the guests were asked about the definition of social art and its power. Mrs. Stamou said that social art is the art that is made to be exposed and causes some comments, some reaction, "weapon for battle", as Picasso said. Mrs. Antonakou referred to the activities of the Thessaloniki Film Festival, the Documentary Festival and Evia's Project, which is the third activity pole of the Festival and aims to raise public awareness of the ecological disaster. Mrs. Antonakou emphasized that the Film Festival
functions as an inclusive institution and promotes art as a dynamic means that
contributes to social change.
Mrs. Athanasiadou said that the Rodi Festival is a true social art, as it has the potential to project, to question and to have a dynamic relationship with society. Mr. Zournatzidis referred to the repeal of the law regarding the qualification for admission to drama schools, but still people in the arts do not know about inclusion and there are not many people with disabilities who work as happens abroad. In addition, Mrs. Athanasiadou and Mr. Zournatzidis highlighted the lack of accessibility in artistic settings, as well as the social racism and exclusion experienced by people with disabilities. After a question from the public about the benefits of art, Mrs. Stamou referred to the power of art and specifically music that can be used as a tool
for connecting people, teamwork and participation. She even pointed out the need to strengthen education with artistic programs that promote well-being and mental health. Then, Mrs. Antonakou informed the audience about the efforts of the Thessaloniki Film Festival to provide accessibility conditions for the public.
Mrs. Athanasiadou reminded the audience some examples of disabled artists who remained in everyone's memory for their talent, stating that for her art is an integral part of her existence, since poetry is a way of communicating with people. Mr. Zournatzidis mentioned that art is the way to live, stating that the disability he acquired after an accident triggered a dream he had suppressed and pushed him to engage in theater.
The ceremony ended with the "Non Alchoholic Inclusive Party" by the inclusive group "Protagonistes".
Below you can find the Press Release attached in Word format..
