The ix artistic festival for diversity is set to return to the gran teatro de huelva on 3 December, celebrating the talent, creativity, and artistic abilities of individuals with functional diversity. Organised by ETHOS Centro para la Diversidad, the event aims to promote culture, inclusion, and solidarity, and has become a significant highlight in the social and cultural calendar of Huelva.
During the festival's presentation, Adela de Mora, the deputy mayor for social services, family, employment, housing, and economic development, emphasised the event's unique purpose: to raise awareness of the diversity within society and foster equality by promoting real inclusion on stage. She stated, "Our priority at the Ayuntamiento de Huelva is to give a voice to talented individuals in our city, encouraging necessary inclusion in the artistic world."
De Mora highlighted that the festival showcases the skills of individuals with functional diversity, demonstrating that they can achieve remarkable things when provided with opportunities and support. She noted, "The capabilities are amplified, and barriers fade away because culture is stronger when it is diverse. We must remember that art can only be authentic when it integrates all voices."
This year's edition will also focus on its charitable aspect, with food and hygiene product donations going to cáritas diocesana de huelva to support families in vulnerable situations. De Mora expressed hopes to surpass the 1,000 kilograms of food collected in the previous year, urging the public to attend the event on 3 December.
David Núñez, director of ETHOS Centro para la Diversidad, thanked the Ayuntamiento for its ongoing support of the initiative, now in its ninth year. He explained that the festival's primary goal remains to provide individuals with functional diversity the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents alongside artists without disabilities, creating an example of real inclusion on stage.
This year's festival will feature participants with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida, performing alongside other artists and groups from Huelva. Notably, the Asociación de Mayores Andariego will provide music for dance performances led by individuals with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, along with other artistic collaborations that embody the festival's inclusive spirit.
Núñez reiterated the potential of individuals with functional diversity when given the right resources and opportunities, advocating for the creation of genuine cultural participation spaces where talent transcends barriers. He also highlighted the significance of music in this edition, including the introduction of new musical projects from ETHOS students and the launch of an inclusive Christmas song, 'Navidad en Huelva', featuring children with and without functional diversity. This musical initiative aims to convey a message of unity, hope, and inclusion.
The gran teatro de huelva will host the event on 3 December at 19:30, featuring a diverse artistic programme that includes music, dance, theatre, and poetry. Performers will include students from ETHOS Centro para la Diversidad, the Asociación de Mayores Andariego and Jubilados, the dance group from Asociación Voces del Conquero, the theatre group Los Magnífiques, and Los Teotreros. The gala will be presented by Antonio Sánchez, Yedra María Cruz, Pablo Sánchez, and Francisco J. Ballesteros, with sign language interpretation to ensure accessibility for all attendees.
One of the highlights will be the premiere of 'Navidad en Huelva', a song performed by users of the centre with functional diversity, featuring music by David Núñez and lyrics by Eva Jiménez, both music teachers at ETHOS. The project will also include a music video produced by NR Producciones. Additionally, two more songs will debut: 'Qué bonito es vivir' by Pepe Luna and 'El amor de mi vida' by Darío González, both students whose compositions are part of ETHOS's personalised musical creation projects aimed at enhancing the artistic expression of its users.
Since its inception in 2017, the artistic festival for diversity has worked to provide visibility and opportunities for artists with functional diversity, fostering collaboration with other local groups. In recent years, the initiative has also incorporated a charitable dimension, linking cultural celebration with support for social entities and vulnerable families. This year, all collected food and cleaning products will be donated to cáritas diocesana de huelva. To obtain tickets, attendees must donate two kilograms of non-perishable food and one cleaning product, which can be delivered at ETHOS Centro para la Diversidad, where ticket collection will take place.
