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Innovative education through music and theater: The Philanthropy Federation trains workers with people with Down syndrometranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

The Philanthropy Federation of the Romanian Patriarchate is conducting, during the week of July 6-10, 2026, a training program for workers with people who have Down syndrome or cognitive disabilities.

The training, which takes place at the "St. Dumitru Stăniloae" National Continuing Education Center of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, aims to teach these people innovative methods of education through music and theater.

Romanians are, through the Philanthropy Federation, partners in the Erasmus+ project entitled MusicAbility – Inclusion in Harmony, together with the Association of Families of Children with Down Syndrome, from Italy, and the Coro Cantatutti Association, from Spain. The project involves 30 young people with Down syndrome and 15 educators and youth workers.

Participants learn specific techniques to stimulate autonomy, creativity and communication among young people with disabilities, improving their ability to express themselves and interact with those around them.

International project

"We aim to help young people with Down syndrome between the ages of 15 and 30 to be involved in the community and develop life skills through music, composition or theatre," he explained, for...

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Росица Петрова

A very nice undertaking. Music and theater really help children with Down to open up, I have seen it with a boy from our church - he sang in the choir and became more confident. I am interested in how exactly they will apply these methods in Bulgaria after the project.

Анна Мельник

It is very good that they use music and theater. In our parish, a boy with Down syndrome sang in the children's choir at Christmas, and you could see how he became calmer and smiled more. I wonder if they plan to hold such classes in our Ukrainian centers after the project.

Daniela Ciobanu

Here in Cluj, at the neighborhood parish, a girl with Down syndrome started coming to the children's choir two years ago, and it was clear how she got the courage to speak more. Philanthropy is doing a good job with this music and theater, especially since it is also a European project. Will they also hold classes at the Transylvanian centers after July?

Ηλίας Καραγιάννης

This is a good program with music and theater. In our parish here in Athens a boy with Down syndrome started singing at dance last year and became quieter and happier, just like others say. I hope that such methods will reach Greece after Erasmus+.

Photini Miller

La noi la Sydney, la tinerii din grupul de la biserică, am văzut cum un băiat cu sindrom Down s-a luminat la față când a cântat cu noi la cor de Paști – exact cum zic și ei cu muzica și teatrul. E frumos că Filantropia face asta prin Erasmus+ cu italienii și spaniolii. Oare vor împărtăși materialele alea și cu parohiile din diaspora după iulie 2026?

Борис Илиев

I really liked what you said about the boy from your church. Indeed, by singing in the choir, one sees one's eyes open and one's shoulders straighten. I wonder if in Philippopolis or Burgas there are such choirs for people with Down - if you know, tell me.

Георги Иванов

You said it very accurately, Rosice. With us in Ruse, a girl with Down started taking flute lessons and after a year she was already playing at mass with two or three notes - you could just see how happy she was to be heard. I am interested in whether in your choir they allow such young people to sing together with the others or do they make a separate group.

Κώστας Χατζής

What you say about the boy in Athens is a good example. In our parish here in Larissa last year we had a girl with Down who played simple percussion in a Christmas play and seemed to look forward to every rehearsal with joy. I hope that these methods will not stay only in Italy and Spain, that they will come to our centers as well.

Margaret Collins

That Easter choir moment with the boy sounds lovely – music really does light people up. I hope they do share the materials with diaspora parishes afterward; our youth group here in Chicago could definitely use some of those theater exercises. Have you tried any simple music activities with your group since then?

Богдана Петрова

Yes, that's right - here in Burgas, a boy with Down's syndrome sings in the children's church choir and you can see how he is changing, becoming more confident. I don't know about Philippopolis, but in our church "St. Theotokos" we tried with several such children and the result is visible. Are you from Burgas, Boris, or just passing by?

Николай Петков

In our church in Varna, we have a boy with Down who sings in the children's choir - not separately, but directly with the other children. He was hesitant at first, but after a few months he was already joining in the "Our Father" and you could see how proud he was. Georgi, and in your place in Ruse, how did the people in the church react when they heard her playing the flute during the liturgy?

Петя Христова

Yes, that's right - the music and the choir really unlock something in them. Here in Tarnovo, a girl with Down participated in church songs at the camp last summer and you could see her smiling more often and standing straighter. Bogdana, how long have you been with these children in choir?

Георги Колев

Here in Plovdiv, we have a girl with Down who played the flute during the liturgy two years ago - people first looked around, but then many smiled and after the service congratulated her personally. I'm glad that you in Varna have accepted her so naturally in the choir. And how many children are in this children's choir in total?