No Disabled Hearts at children's art festival

Dancers at the arts festival

Six hundred children participated in a “No Disabled Hearts” two-day arts festival at the Children’s Palace in Hanoi in early 2004. The children came to express themselves and explore their own talent. They came from counselling centers, friendship houses, schools for the deaf and blind and surrounding villages,.

The festival allowed children to express themselves through singing, dancing, acting, drawing and other art forms. Three months previously, they had prepared their performances with support from a group of art professionals. By the time of the arts festival the children were confident enough to perform individually and in groups.

Madame Le Thi Thu, the Minister for CPFC, was very touched by the enthusiasm and dedication of the children. Overall the festival was a very meaningful event for children not only for self-expression, but also as a way to make more friends and gain confidence in their daily lives. The title of the festival 'No Disabled Hearts' was agreed by the children and is also the message that Plan Vietnam and other co-organisers want to convey to children in the festival and throughout Vietnam.

 The festival was organised by jointly by Plan Vietnam and the Committee for Population, Family and Children (CPFC), and co-funded by British Petroleum and Vinamilk Corps.