From June 20th to 23rd, the 3rd edition of the Festival of Inclusion was held at Park Macedonia – Kisela Voda Municipality, creating unparalleled positive energy, support, and community.
The 3rd Festival of Inclusion, organized by Equality Association, in collaboration with the organization "Vision Plus", and supported by the Municipality of Kisela Voda, boldly and persistently confirmed its core mission that each one of us can and is capable, with the right support and love from the community.
The third edition of the Festival of Inclusion awakened the deepest emotions, engaged and included all generations, inspired through music, motivated through shared and integrative social gatherings, created unforgettable sports experiences, offered cinematic enjoyment, and once again proved that in order to get closer to the goal — breaking down barriers and creating an open society — we must come together.
The official opening of the festival began on June 20th with a performance by the inclusive band of children from the “Dimitar Vlahov” school for the visually impaired , under the direction of professor Kristian Tasevski and with a performance by pianist Emma Ananievska, who proudly represent the community of people with disabilities.
For the first time this year, the Equality Association also started awarding the “Champions of Inclusion” awards to those whose social and personal responsibility truly and directly contributes to strengthening the process of social inclusion. This year, the first awards were given in the following categories: Champion of Inclusion – Ambassador: David Ghir , Champion of Inclusion – Mayor: Orce Gjorgjievski , Champion of Inclusion – Public Figure: Irena Spirovska , Champion of Inclusion – Person with Disability and Organization: Irena Popovska and the organization “Prkos” , Champion of Inclusion – Socially Responsible Company: KB First Pension Company .
At the official opening, the call for the best inclusive festival photograph “Capture Inclusion” was announced, within which everyone had the opportunity to capture and share magical festival moments and thus participate and win a valuable prize.
At the exhibition “Together WE CAN” featured 65 children’s drawings, created by the creative hands of children from the municipal primary schools of Kisela Voda, and these were proof that our differences make us special and beautiful. The three awards were won by: Jelena Kajevska (V-5 grade) from “Krume Kepeski” Primary School, Darko Stanojevski (VI-2 grade) from “Kliment Ohridski” Primary School, and Marija Milenkovska (V-5 grade) from “Krume Kepeski” Primary School.
