Society is defined as a group of individuals involved in social interaction. According to resemblance of these individuals groups of similar characters or cultural backgrounds (for example) gather and create relationships. Some of these groups become majorities and some of them minorities. Although each of them should accept each other, there are people who are often isolated because of their dissimilarity.
It has always been difficult for people who were somehow different. Disabled, sick, homosexuals, Roma – they have always been put aside, gained less of what was offered for others. The society of 21st century, however, has reached the highest level of acceptance in history and so has also the life of these people. It has evolved throughout the centuries from a very conservative sphere to a completely liberal.
I have faced the challenges, but I am strong and I believe to break barriers and change attitudes towards people like us.
Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It causes delays in physical growth and intellectual disability. Down’s syndrome can’t be cured but proper care and education can improve quality of life. Some people are able to do paid work, be educated in typical school classes or even do arts! With discipline great things come to life!
When I dance, it makes me feel like I am really alive and being lost in a completely different world.
This group of dancers with Down’s syndrome presents Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring to mark 106 years since the original ballet’s premier. Under the mentorship of The Royal Ballet a powerful reinterpretation has been created. This film by Adam Csoka Keller shows how the world opens up to people with learning disabilities.
I think it is really important to have in art and culture people living with Down’s syndrome because it is part and parcel of everyday life.
The performance has two acts. In first one, Adoration of the Earth, two tribes come together and worship the fertile powers of spring and choose one of them to dance. In the second act, called Sacrifice, the chosen one dances herself to death and fertilises the soil.
Spring is the balance for the world. Everyone is happy and joying.
The Rite breaks the rules by liberalizing dance and challenging perceptions of audience about who is ‘allowed’ to perform. ”It feels great to have extra chromosome,” says one of the dancers.
The Rite - NOWNESS
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