The EU Info Centre, in cooperation with the Association Dante Alighieri and the Italian Embassy in BiH, organised a book promotion and a photo exhibition Rise again – Paralympic Games by the authors Marco Ciccolella, Emanuele Broli and Laura Predolini on 24 February 2016.
In a vivid, figurative approach, the photographers documented the notable stages of the 2012 London Paralympics: the ceremonies, starts, challenges, falls, arrivals, victories, award ceremonies; but also the pathos, state of mind, stories, and experiences, thus composing an authentic report.
The exhibition portrayed 10 panels with the photos from the book showing some of the best moments of the 2012 Paralympics.
”We have to create an environment to ensure persons with disabilities have equal access to the labour market, to benefit from the education system and have equal access to health services, sports and cultural activities,” said Jan Snaidauf, Head of Political and Economic Section at the EU Delegation, in his opening remarks. He has also noted the obligation of every society to provide healthy surroundings to persons with disabilities. “A further objective of EU assistance is the development of care services to support the social inclusion of persons at risk, including the transition from institutional to family based care,” Snaidauf concluded.
H.E. Ruggero Corrias, Ambassador of Italy in BiH, commended the efforts of the authors underlying pride in the Italian authors who were able to portray this important topic through remarkable photography.
Marco Ciccolella, one of the authors of the book and exhibition, was impressed by the strong will of the athletes during the making of the book. ”Defeat and victory are two sides of the same medal, especially for all those who are able to restart when it falls on the wrong side. A challenge seen from far distance, by the others, is like a mountain observed from the bottom: it can seem impossible to conquer, but with a big strength of heart, determination and sacrifi¬ce all the Paralympic athletes ascend it. It is the all-desired achievement of Olympus”, Ciccolella added.
Senad Turković, representative of the BiH Paralympic Committee reflected on the extraordinary results of the BiH athletes both on and off the field. “According to the latest research in the country, all the successful Paralympians in BiH have higher education degrees, thus showing their capabilities in all aspects of life,” Turković concluded.
Jasminka Selimović, vice-president of the Dante Alighieri Association, Elvira Bešlija, representative of the Association of persons suffering from polio in the Federation of BiH and the BiH Council of Persons with Disabilities and Nermin Tulić, BiH actor, also addressed the audience.
Interesting discussion with the BiH athletes followed the opening speeches.
More info on the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1137
