INCLUSION THROUGH ART: A FESTIVAL FOR EVERYONE, WITHOUT BARRIERS
From 17 to 21 April 2026, the fourth edition of the INCLUDE Festival was held in Split—an inclusive festival that, through art, creativity, and togetherness, brings together children, young people, and adults with disabilities and developmental difficulties, as well as all citizens interested in inclusive culture and barrier-free art.
During the five festival days, a rich and diverse program of workshops, performances, film screenings, and discussions took place across several locations in Split—including the Youth Center, Studio 21, the Archaeological Museum Split, the Zenta Home for the Elderly and Infirm, and the premises of the Jedna mladost Association.
This year once again, the festival brought together a large number of participants, artists, educators, therapists, volunteers, and partners, who collectively created a space of openness, creativity, and mutual understanding.
Festival Program
The festival opened with the inclusive workshop Bodies That Speak, led by Ivana Dužanec and La Pao Avilés, combining physical theatre, juggling, and communication in both spoken and sign language. Great interest was also generated by the art therapy clay-modelling workshops Borders and Little Master, led by Magdalena Rubeša from the Croatian Association for Art Therapy (HART).
A particularly emotional moment of the festival was the workshop Dance for All, led by Mia Kevo for residents of the Zenta Home for the Elderly and Infirm, confirming how art and movement can foster a sense of togetherness and active participation regardless of age.
The Saturday program featured storytelling and performative expression workshops, as well as the dance workshop Time, Space, Dance by the Magija dance collective. The evening concluded with the performance Under Pressure by Teatar Tirena, which addressed important questions of mental health and the pressures faced by young people.
The Saturday program featured storytelling and performative expression workshops, as well as the dance workshop Time, Space, Dance by the Magija dance collective. The evening concluded with the performance Under Pressure by Teatar Tirena, which addressed important questions of mental health and the pressures faced by young people.
The audience was especially moved by the dance performance Translations, designed for blind and visually impaired persons, which explores the experience of dance through non-visual senses. Significant interest was also drawn to the storytelling concert The Girl from Caske by Sanja Grgina and Žarko Marinković at the Archaeological Museum Split.
The festival closed with the performance Three Little Squared Pigs by Tala Dance Center, followed by an inclusive film program and the workshop How to Make a Dance Performance Inclusive, delivered by Kultura svima svugdje and Filmaktiv.
Art as a Space of Encounter
The INCLUDE Festival continues to develop a space in which art becomes a tool for connection, understanding, and social change. Through inclusive programs, the festival actively contributes to the visibility of persons with disabilities in the cultural life of the city and encourages the development of more accessible and open cultural content for all citizens.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, artists, partners, volunteers, and audiences who contributed to another warm, creative, and inclusive festival edition.
See you next year!
Festival Partners
HART – Croatian Association for Art Therapy, Cirkus Kolektiv, Multimedia Cultural Center Split, Platform of the Youth Center, Kultura svima svugdje, Filmaktiv, and Association for Culture Beat / Studio 21.
Financial Support
National Foundation for Civil Society Development, Kultura Nova Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Split-Dalmatia County, and City of Split.
Photo credits: Nikola BrboležaWorkshop Bodies That Speak photo credits: Srđan Tutić
Workshop Bodies That Speak photo credits: Srđan Tutić
