4th inFusion Festival of Inclusion Kicks Off in Skopje

The 4th inFusion Festival of Inclusion starts Wednesday and will run through Sunday. The festival opens with Australian-German dance duo Roland Walter and René Schadler's performance "Skin," which organizers describe as "an intimate dialogue through movement."

Walter and Schadler, who have developed adaptive dance techniques for visible and invisible disabilities, will also run a two-hour workshop titled "Dancing Without Moderation" from 10 am to noon Thursday. The workshop aims to encourage unrestrained movement and improvisations that strongly advocate for change both on the dance floor and beyond, according to organizers, CE Report quotes MIA.

Also Thursday, a children's workshop on making sock puppets will be held at Macedonia Park to promote creativity and collaboration among children and youth with and without disabilities.

"The workshop offers fun, teamwork, and space to build new friendships," organizers said.

The festival will offer more than 30 events promoting inclusivity and acceptance of diversity and disabilities. Various art, theater and music performances as well as outdoor board gaming and athletic events will be held at various venues in Skopje.

The Thursday events include a sign language theater play for children; a poetry slam; a children's art exhibition; and guided tours of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje for people with hearing impairments, supported by a sign language interpreter, as well as for people with visual impairments and people with physical disabilities.

Events scheduled for Friday and Saturday include an exhibition of works by young artists; a mural workshop; an workshop on non-verbal communication and perception through creative activities; an arts and crafts bazaar; an all-day picnic and board game event; and a panel discussion featuring Superhiks frontman Petar Mladenovski on building a career in the music industry.

Sunday events include outdoor yoga and meditation; a concert featuring Mia Perevska, Zanadu, Daktili, Tsar von Time, Fiction and Breakdown Band; an inclusive sports event; and a public forum on accessibility asking questions like "What does the ramp at the entrance of a building mean to a person in a wheelchair if there is no elevator inside?" to urge architects and urban planners to consider the needs of people with disabilities.

The festival aims to encourage activism and authentic expression toward positive social change, fostering a spirit of community, friendship and sincere love, organizers said.