Rules of the 1st World Amateur Arts Festival of the Deafblind

The 1st World Amateur Arts Festival of the Deafblind has no competitive characteristics – according to rule 1.

Persons with Deafblindness (combination of hearing and visual impairment): only can take full part in the art festival. 

At the Amateur Art Festival, there is an option: the sighted and/or hearing persons can participate in performance together with deafblind performers up to 50% of the formation and not more than 50% (for example: duet or duo from one deafblind and one person who is not deafblind (sighted and/or hearing person); or in groups and bands up to 50% sighted/hearing persons and deafblind persons - 50% or more.). This is an option in particular cases and of course the most common situation is formation from deafblind persons.

The 1st World Amateur Arts Festival of the Deafblind will be held in the following arts:

1. Arts of mimics, gestures and sign language.
For the deafblind persons who know sign language and other methods for communication with the deafblind. These specific arts are created and developing in the deaf culture.

1.1. Simultaneous interpretation of singing by mimics, gestures and sign language (solo, duo, group).
This is specific kind of performance art, developed by the deaf people and became very famous in the deaf culture, which can be very creative and interesting for the deafblind too. The idea comes from “karaoke” singing, but on full playback. There is using the full playback sound which is playing from the sound system by the official mass-production record of the well-known song. The deafblind person simultaneously and artistically interprets the song by oral articulation, sign language, gestures and mimics, dances and body language. It is look like the deafblind sings on himself as he is hearing and speaking person with normal voice. The synchrony is realized often with simultaneous discreet assistance from a hearing person (conductor - prompter, more often he is the personal teacher of the deafblind performer), who interprets visually and/or tactile the rhythm, the words articulated and the signs of the song. As well, the playback sound is louder than in normal and many deafblind persons follow the rhythm because of the increased bass sound partially heard and/or bass vibration felt from the deafblind performer. 

1.2. Pantomime (solo, duo, group).
According to the basic rules of pantomime, it is the performance without words, speaking or articulation. The actors use means of expression of the “body language”, mimics, natural gestures and improvisation.

1.3. Theatre of mimics, gestures and sign language (solo, duo, group).
There are parts of theatre plays and scenes with mimics, gestures, sign language and methods of communication of the deafblind. Word and speech are transmitted through specific methods of communication of the deafblind (visual sign language, localized sign language, tactile sign language, manual alphabets, haptic communication etc.)

Note: each participant (solo, duo, group) in Pantomime (1.2.) and Theatre of mimics, gestures and sign language (1.3.) must have a particular person (narrator), who is acknowledged with the respective theatre performance, and by the microphone he will give a speaking explanation or retelling of actors play. It could be made in the beginning before the play or simultaneously during play. Because these arts are perceived mostly by sight and because of the many national forms and languages of the method of the communication of the deafblind, the speaking explanation is needed for their perception from the blind and the deafblind in the audience and spectactors. Respectively the interpreters assist the deafblind audience to understand the performance. 

2. Vocal-instrumental musical arts (solo, duet, group).

These are the musical arts that are acceptable for the deafblind persons with some residual hearing and use of a hearing aid. Most of them are with acquired hearing loss and in their childhood they develop their musical capabilities: to perform music vocally or on a musical instrument.

The deafblind performer can decide in which musical style he will participate.

3. The Exhibition of Fine arts and Applied arts:
3.1. exhibition of fine arts: drawing, painting, graphic, sculpture, computer art, photography, design etc.
3.2. exhibition of applied arts: textile, woodcarving, ceramics, culinary etc.

In the Exhibition of Fine arts and Applied arts can participate only deafblind artists. As well in the exhibition can be presented work of art from a deafblind person who is not came in Plovdiv, and other participants brought their work to present it at the exhibition, or for the example, the work is sent by the post or e-mail.

NOTE: We as organizers are open to all other ideas, arts, styles and forms for performance or presentation of amateur art of the persons with deafblindness.

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