Rome (Fides Service) - Disabled musicians and dancers from China who had a great success with a performance in Rome on May 23 received a special mention and blessing from Pope Benedict XVI during the weekly Wednesday audience in St Peter’s Square on May 25. The group of artists, many in a wheelchair were overjoyed with their visit to Rome of which the papal audience and blessing was the highlight.
The language of art came before globalisation; music and dance break down barriers of language and culture. Art performed by disabled persons takes on an even higher significance and is a demonstration of talent, professional expertise and extraordinary determination. The China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe was invited to Italy by the “Cooperazione Italiana allo Sviluppo”, in collaboration with the Italian foreign ministry under the patronage of the President of Italy. Their My Dream performance won the hearts of the Roman public.
The aim of the company, established in 1987 and nominated Disabled Ambassador to the World, is to encouraged people with a disability to take part in all forms of art. The company has toured China and forty other countries performing in famous theatres including the Scala in Milan and Carnegie Hall in New York.
(Agenzia Fides 27/05/2005 Righe: 13 Parole: 113)