15.12.2023

On December 15, 2023, individuals with Down syndrome performed in “Trisomy Love” theater play at the Youth Cultural Center in Ortakoll, Prizren. 

Organized by Artpolis – Art and Community Center in collaboration with Down Syndrome Kosova – Prizren, “Trisomy Love” was a manifestation of love among individuals with Down syndrome and their daily lives.

Through various dances and recitations, Ada Gorda, Arlind Rizanaj, Alber Bytyqi, Aela Qafleshi, Behije Arapi, Diana Gashi, Flamur Bytyqi, Fatmir Sallah, Liridona Xhemaj, Merlinda Sope, Ndalore Likaj, Selim Maloku, and Smajl Hoti delivered a highly emotional performance for the audience.

Beyond the surface, beyond what we see, layers of emotions and reactions of individuals with Down syndrome are unveiled. We approach the true understanding of the love these individuals have to offer every day despite their doubled life difficulties. Their greatest strength is the one we cannot see; it resides within them, and they manifest it to us as feelings.

Ndalore Likaj, a member of the Theater Club in Prizren, expressed that this had been a very good process, and they had immensely enjoyed themselves throughout.

“We’ve practiced and danced with Donikë and Blerta. I felt extremely good; I’m filled with love. I felt very good with everyone,” said Likaj.

She also spoke about the process of creating the performance, stating, “I’ve constantly rehearsed the text I had and learned it. When the day arrived for a show with people with Down syndrome, I was left speechless.”

Selim Maloku, who acted in this performance, expressed great happiness about the entire creative process.

“The performance was very good; we were very pleased. We had a great time with all our colleagues. Donikë and Blerta were very good; I have them in my heart, they are all in my heart,” he expressed.

Actress from the Artpolis Ensemble, Blerta Gubetini, who, along with Donikë Ahmeti, mentored these young individuals with Down syndrome, expressed feeling fortunate and proud to have had this opportunity and experience with people with Down syndrome.

“Working with people with Down syndrome during this period has been a sweet ‘challenge’ for me. To witness their difficulties, the specifics of their lifestyle, and the effort to understand them and then transform them into theater through art was a lesson for me that I didn’t know I needed to experience. These individuals, with the love they carry within them, deserve a call for even more spaces and people who have enough willingness to highlight this love, for which I feel fortunate and proud that together with Donikë and Artpolis, we have achieved this,” expressed Gubetini.

She also thanked Down Syndrome Kosova in Prizren for their cooperation and readiness to be involved throughout this creative process.

“I want to thank Down Syndrome Kosova here in Prizren for a very accurate and tireless cooperation. Their commitment to the creative process has eased our work and helped us better understand all the participants. Without this close collaboration, this performance we witnessed today would hardly have had this result,” she said.

Grenita Grazhda, a social worker at Down Syndrome Kosova – Prizren, while thanking the staff and the Artpolis Ensemble for their highly effective collaboration, emphasized the importance that this Theater Club has had for individuals with Down syndrome and its direct impact on them.

“Our association members, who were the artists of this performance, have greatly enjoyed these intensive rehearsals where they had the opportunity to express their emotions and talents without any barriers or limitations. This has been a great opportunity for each of our members to showcase themselves to a wide audience. In this process, our members came with great pleasure and had a lot of positive energy, and besides us, as staff, noticing it, there were also reactions from parents who gave us comments, stating that the freedom of expression had increased, the freedom for them to do whatever they wanted, to dance and express their feelings in theatrical parts,” said Grazhda.

The involvement of individuals with Down syndrome in the creative process of the show has been very beneficial even for parents, who have seen positive changes in their children over these months.

Nurten Gorda, Ada Gorda’s mother who acted in the performance “Trisomy Love,” expressed, “The show was very good, and the process was very good too. I want to thank everyone involved in making this show possible. Ada has had a great time and has been very happy throughout this process. We should involve individuals with Down syndrome as much as possible in artistic activities,” she said.

This performance was also supported by the Municipality of Prizren, and present for the premiere was the mayor, Shaqir Totaj.

This performance was created by Artpolis in collaboration with Down Syndrome Kosova – Prizren, with the support of the Joseph Handleman Foundation “I Believe in You,” Frieda, Ministry of Culture, NGO “Active and Creative Youth,” and the Municipality of Prizren.