In 2017, invited by Mayor Cresto, the Association of United Disabled People of Concordia (ADUC) participated for the first time in the Pequeños Duendes Carnival. "We didn't know how the children would react to the noise and the crowd, we went out a bit afraid," says Liliana Salinas, president of the institution. "To our surprise, it went great, the children were happy, they participated every night," she comments. That is why they did not hesitate. "It was already decided, in 2018 we had to participate again," and they are preparing for it.
The ADUC troupe will be one of the 14 participants in the festival that begins this Sunday at the Costanera. "We want to show people that our children know how to enjoy themselves, know how to have fun and understand very well what carnival is, what a troupe is," says Liliana. 40 children from ADUC families will participate in this edition, in wheelchairs, others with their walkers, children with Down syndrome and 10 integrated children who decided to be part of the troupe.
"We are preparing the costumes, we are going to represent 'Aduc, in space', which is precisely the world they live in, a world of fantasy, full of imagination, astronauts, many stars, suns, the planets, which refer to the stories we tell them every night," said Liliana, anticipating the chosen theme.
Integration and inclusion
Liliana highlighted that the Municipality was present many times to help, "they gave us almost all the materials we work with, that encouraged us to continue with more strength so that ADUC could be a reality in the Pequeños Duendes Carnival" and added, "they (referring to the children) see Mayor Enrique Cresto, Armando Gay, Matías Soto, Sonia Albornos, and they hug them, they know very well that they made it possible for us to be part of the Carnival and that is why we are always grateful".
The president of the Association of United Disabled People of Concordia (ADUC) also highlighted the constant support of each child's family. "We could not achieve anything if there were not a family surrounding each child, currently everyone is helping the children put together their costumes," because the Pequeños Duendes Carnival is not just the parade, it is everything behind it, each family supporting their children and the previous work where the joy of this festival is already being experienced.