Salutatory of the Minister of State

Greeting Points οf The Minister οf State Mr Theodoros Roussopoulos at The 1st International Festival “Emotion Pictures: Documentary And Disability”

Saturday, 16th June 2007 

Your Excellency Mr. President of the Hellenic Republic,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to welcome you to the first International Festival Emotion Pictures: “Documentary and Disability”. I would particularly like to welcome our guests from abroad. I wish you a pleasant stay in Greece.

Disability is an issue that challenges the quality of our democracy. It challenges the willing of our societies to ensure in practice, as they owe to, equal rights for all the citizens. Disability challenges our maturity not only to accept diversity, but also understand it as a condition that enriches joint perception for the society and the world.

This International Documentary Festival on Disability, organized for the first time in Greece within the framework of the 2nd International Conference “People with Disabilities and Mass Media” by the Secretariat General of Information – Secretariat General of Communication, is based on two conclusions:

The first conclusion is that, open and unprejudiced dialogue on Disability refers to all of us without any exception. In Greece, in particular, where we all admit that there is lots of room in order for this dialogue to broaden and produce tangible results.

The second conclusion is that, cinematic speech is one of the most powerful narrative means at the disposal of our culture. It is considered one of the most powerful weapons we have in our hands in our effort to raise issues regarding disability and awareness to the citizens, to awaken them. It is also a weapon against  misconception and prejudice that are deep rooted in our societies. 

I wish and hope that during these three days, this 1st Festival will achieve it’s goals.
The first step of this new institution will be successful.

Once again I would like to thank you for your participation and most important for your commitment to contribute to the awareness of us all regarding the issues of Disability.