1. Event Overview

1) Event name: Accessible Art Festival

2) Date and time of event

April 31st - May 2nd, 2025

3) Type of event

Art Festival

4) Location (city and venue name)

Edseg Hungarian Cultural Center, Novi Sad, Serbia

5) Organizers (organizations and individuals)

City of Novi Sad (Co-organized by the British Council and EU)

6) Official website and social media

Not specified

2. Event details and highlights

Characteristics and comments of the event (purpose of the event, unique aspects, etc.)

We may be aware of the existence of the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, adopted in 1948, but do we really understand what ideals it embodies? Article 27 of the Charter states: "Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to enjoy scientific advancement and its benefits."

When a passage from this article was incorporated into the lyrics and performed in the opening performance by the inclusive orchestra Good People, many in the audience were likely encountering these words for the first time and were deeply moved.

The aim of the Accessible Art Festival was to highlight the work of artists who are usually not seen, especially those with disabilities. Visitors were able to experience a wide range of expression, including works by current artists and installations born out of art workshops by students from Milan Petrović Special Needs School.

During the festival, a panel discussion was also held with experts in the fields of arts and disability education, who discussed the importance of "inclusion" in the arts and culture scene.

Participants, exhibitors and speakers welcomed the audience with warmth and joy, sharing their talents and proposing ways of creating culture that everyone can participate in. The event was also a time to celebrate those who have had difficulty speaking out in public spaces becoming visible and audible members of society.

Correspondent Vera Jasevski, Serbia