Alicante’s MARQ museum celebrated World Disability Day with a week full of inclusive events. The aim was to promote the rights and well‑being of people across society and to raise awareness of their experiences in daily life.
Xian Warriors broke records in MARQ history
Events are completely free and run from Wednesday, November 29 through Sunday, December 3. Visitors can register in person at the museum box office or by phone for specific activities.
The Cultural Deputy, Juan de Dios Navarro, announced that the calendar was adjusted in collaboration with Alicante associations that provide services to people with disabilities. He noted that the programme, designed by the CV MARQ Foundation’s Didactics and Accessibility Unit, will include workshops where participants create pieces inspired by the Xi’an Warriors exhibition.
Guided visits and tours accessible to city residents are also planned. Local organizations such as the Down Syndrome Association of Alicante, the Alzheimer Association of Alicante (AFA), the Asperger Association of Alicante (ASPALI), the Association of Occupational Entertainment for People with Intellectual Disabilities (AODI), and APSA are involved in the programming.
Programming
The CV MARQ Foundation began programming with a lecture on November 29. Accessibility and social responsibility projects at MARQ fall within Disabled Persons Week, organized by the University of Alicante, which will host the public reading of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 1 at 10:30 in the UA German Bernacer Building Meeting Hall.
A workshop is scheduled for Friday, December 1 at 11 am titled Draw and Color Your Own Xi’an Warrior. Participants will recreate one of the display’s magnificent terracotta figures in its original colors, carried home as a keepsake of the celebration day.
The decor workshop will follow at noon. Colors of ceramics will teach visitors that Chinese ceramics often feature multicolored motifs such as cloud and dragon designs or geometric patterns in purple, red, white, or green, reflecting the luxury of these objects in ancient times.
On Saturday, December 2, visitors can explore the Legacy of the Qin and Han Dynasties galleries, Xi’an Warriors, and participate in Draw and Color Your Own Xi’an Warrior starting at 10 am. A training workshop on making Chinese lanterns, Lights of the Han Dynasty, will be held afterward.
In the afternoon, a delegation from the Shannxi government will visit the Xi’an Warriors exhibition. Beginning at 5:15 pm, attendees can explore the Prehistory Room, enjoy storytelling, and participate in a workshop featuring OCU’s talent. Ocu, a blind girl living in prehistory, will demonstrate how visual impairment can become a source of strength. This activity includes Sign Language and is designed for families with children aged 3 to 7, with space for up to 25 participants. Attendees will also have the option to craft bookmarks using Chinese calligraphy without prior registration.
The events culminate on Sunday, December 3 with an animated tour of the Roman Culture wing for all visitors starting at 12:30 pm. Storytelling sessions will explore the tale of a physically disabled girl who was believed to be chosen by the Gods for her genius. A Roman bulla workshop will follow, inviting participants to name a character tied to each person involved in the day’s activities.