International Festival of Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians and Artists back

Tunis: The 6th edition of the International Festival of Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians and Artists, 'Handy Music Festival,' was opened on Tuesday evening at the City of Culture, under the theme "On stage, we are all equal." Organised on May 28, 29 and 30, 2024, this festival is the brainchild of the association 'IBSAR leisure and culture for the blind and visually impaired,' in partnership with the Swiss Embassy in Tunis and several other partners, including UN Women. Handy Music Festival is back after an absence of almost four years, with a programme featuring individual and collective musical creations by people with disabilities, in a bid to create a space for intercultural exchange and promote their social inclusion. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of ambassadors accredited to Tunisia from the participating countries. Musical scores were performed by young musicians with disabilities. Pieces from Iran's musical heritage were played along with solo scores performed by musicians fro m five countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Morocco, Switzerland and Tunisia. Almost 100 musicians with disabilities are taking part in the festival, IBSAR Association President Mohamed Mansouri told TAP, adding that they will present 15 musical performances, including 7 solo and 8 group pieces. Participants from 11 countries (Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, Iran, Spain and Switzerland) are taking part in this 6th edition of the festival. Workshops for people with physical disabilities, in particular those with visual impairments, are in the line-up, as well as a seminar on 'Access to municipal services for people with disabilities' and a symposium on Tunisia's commitment to the principles of open governance. 'Ibsar' works to promote equal opportunities for all individuals, to develop the skills and creativity of people with disabilities in the arts, and to ensure their social inclusion. It calls for 'the establishment of a just society in which people with disabilities fully enjoy their rights and participate effectively in public life.' Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse