The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was marked this Wednesday in a packed hall of the Cultural Center in Kaštel Lukšić, with a touching cultural event. The drama group Bubice, which operates within the Association of the Physically Disabled of Kaštel, performed an emotional play "Miljenka and Dobrilo", inspired by Marko Kažotić's novel about the tragic love of young men and women from Kaštel, a story that has lived on for centuries as Kaštel's version of Romeo and Juliet.
This year's theme, "Encouraging Inclusive Societies for Social Progress," resonated strongly with the audience, especially because every scene of the play demonstrated that dedication, passion, and artistic expression know no barriers.
The play was built on strong contrasts – tenderness and pain, love and prohibitions, joy and tragic denouement. What made this performance special was the emotional honesty of the actors, who conveyed to the audience the full weight of the fate of two young lovers. The actors portrayed their love with such warmth and vulnerability.
A particularly powerful emotional climax occurred when the characters meet for the last time — the scene was performed with minimal set design and subdued lighting, which emphasized the tragedy looming over the castle lovers. The audience remained in complete silence, then erupted into prolonged applause.
Behind the play stood a well-coordinated team: Mirela Trebec Dević as the author of the play, Sanja Biliškov as the director, Nataša Barišić as the set designer, and Viktorija Dajčbauer as the costume designer.
Their dedication was visible in every detail, from carefully designed scenes, through symbolic props, to costumes that revived the spirit of the former Kastels.
The audience recognized the effort and strength that the members of the Bubice group put into the performance. Their acting, although amateur, was exceptionally authentic and powerful, which proved the message of this year's anniversary: disability is not an obstacle, but an incentive for creation and success.
Admission was free, and the hall was packed to the rafters. The long-lasting applause and emotions of the audience after the performance confirmed that "Miljenka and Dobrilo" once again left a deep mark, both as a work of art and as a symbol of inclusion and togetherness.
Photo: Ivana Topic
