Natalya Firsanova There are no restrictions for them on stage. The “Good Mood” team charges with positivity. Photo by Dmitry Kutkin
The festival of artistic creativity of disabled people “Look at me as an equal” ended in Chelyabinsk. Its final stage took place at the Palace of Children’s Creativity of the city. The best groups and performers performed at the gala concert, and masters presented the most striking works – works of decorative, applied and fine art. Vecherka correspondents found out what creativity gives to city residents with health limitations and how they surprised the audience.
Festival “See me as an equal» is held for the 27th time in Chelyabinsk. But interest in him does not fade. On the contrary, there are more and more people willing to prove themselves. This year the festival is dedicated to the 225th anniversary of the birth of the poet Alexander Pushkin.
Ladies in ball gowns gracefully paraded in the foyer. All of them represented the “Fashion Theater” of the Chelyabinsk regional organization of the All-Russian Society of the Blind. The original works of the laureates of the arts and crafts and artistic creativity competition were also exhibited here. Most of them are thematic. Each one is a small masterpiece.
Chelyabinsk craftswomen are inspired by Pushkin. Photo by the author
The craftswomen of the veterans’ social home were inspired by Pushkin’s Lukomorye. Lydia Kutsenko created “Scientist’s Cat”. A knitted cat with glasses settled under an oak tree with an open miniature book. And next door is “The Hut on Chicken Legs” – the work of Raisa Minaeva. Everything is made from simple available materials: thread, paper, burlap, wood. And the popular papier-mâché technique.
“I’ve never done needlework before.” “I got involved in creativity at the veterans’ home, where I’ve been living for seven years,” shared Raisa Alexandrovna . “Then I started studying in the studio under the guidance of our leader. Creativity gives you a good mood. And when you get beautiful work, you just feel euphoria.
Nearby is a table with gingerbread cookies. Yes, not with simple ones, but with figured, painted ones. Their author, Natalya Zubova, calls herself the “gingerbread fairy.”
You can see a lot of amazing things at the exhibition. Photo by Natalia Zubova
“I make fairy-tale houses in 3D: on chicken legs for Baba Yaga, a cartoon school with a bullfinch on the roof for the delight of children, a box for mood,” she introduced Vecherka to her sweet creations Natalia Zubova . — I am generally a creative person. I really like to draw. And a year ago I became interested in gingerbread – for the soul.
Chairman of the Chelyabinsk Social Policy Committee Larisa Moshkova, Commissioner for Human Rights in the region Yulia Sudarenko, Chairman of the Chelyabinsk branch of the All-Russian Organization of Parents of Disabled Children Natalya Kutepova, Assistant Head of the Social Department of the Chelyabinsk Diocese Priest Dionisy Kadomtsev addressed the festival participants with words of greetings and gratitude.
– You are strong people. With your creativity, you change not only yourself, but also the world around you – you make it cleaner and kinder,” she told the laureates Yulia Sudarenko and thanked the administration of Chelyabinsk for supporting the festival.
Larisa Moshkova is convinced that participation in the festival helps in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Photo by Dmitry Kutkin
As Larisa Moshkova clarifies, more than 500 Chelyabinsk residents took part in the festival this year. Qualifying rounds were held in all regions of Chelyabinsk. At creative competitions, townspeople showed their skills in photography, painting and graphics, beadwork, wood carving and other types of decorative and applied arts. On the stages, choirs, sign song ensembles, vocalists, dancers, and readers competed for victory.
— A professional jury in each region assessed the creativity of the participants and selected the winners. And at the gala concert we saw the best works and performances,” noted the chairman of the city social policy committee.
At the exhibition, for example, she especially drew attention to the icon of the Mother of God “The Unbreakable Wall”, almost one and a half meters high. Its creator, Alexey Veretnov, is the winner of the international Philanthropist award. And one of his creations was included in the Russian book of records.
The festival continued in the concert hall. There, the artists were already preparing to perform – some of them relied on canes, crutches, walkers, many were helped by volunteers. But everyone is in an optimistic mood, and there are smiles on their faces. After all, these people are the real winners.
Inclusive groups perform on stage. Photo by Dmitry Kutkin
— At our festival, a concert is not just a performance. This is the rehabilitation of people with disabilities and their adaptation into society,” explained Larisa Moshkova . — Overcoming their illnesses and illnesses, they reach their goals and achieve success. This is the main goal of the festival.
A vibrant performance unfolded on stage. The audience was captivated by waltzing blind dancers, touching performances by vocalists and readers with mental and other disabilities, delighted by the musical and choreographic performances of inclusive teams, and delighted by the perky songs of veteran groups. For example, the Sudarushka ensemble of the Central District Society of Disabled People performed a daring folk song, playing along on original instruments – a washboard, spoons, tambourine and other noisemakers. This team has long become a friendly family. And newcomers are always welcome.
In “Sudarushka” everyone is united by a love of folk music and traditions. Photo by Dmitry Kutkin
— I have always loved to sing. And three months ago I joined the ensemble. The team is wonderful, friendly, everyone is vocal,” she said Galina Makarova former director of a rehabilitation center.
Lyubov Lebedeva used to work at the Chelyabinsk Week newspaper – at one time the publication was published under Vecherka. And in retirement I became interested in folk songs.
– IN “Sudarushka“I have been for more than ten years. We were very lucky with both the team and its leaders. Now the ensemble is led by Sergei Valentinovich Yurovskikh, a very talented person,” shared Lyubov Semyonovna . – “Sudarushka” – it is our life. This is positivity, communication and deep penetration into folk music. You don’t just sing, you comprehend the soul of the Russian people.
Honored diplomas – to the laureates. Photo by Dmitry Kutkin
This year’s festival winners “See me as an equal“there were more than a hundred groups, performers, and artists: 84 laureates were identified in the category of arts and crafts and artistic creativity, 22 – in choral and solo singing, dancing and other types of amateur art. All of them received diplomas and a one-time social benefit from the city budget.
And the other day in Chelyabinsk there was a gala concert of the “Sparkles of Hope” festival for children with disabilities.
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