Festuris opens space for inclusion and brings together stories of overcoming and protagonism in Gramado

Festuris – International Tourism Fair of Gramado will extend its commitment to inclusion in 2026. On November 13, the event holds the Festuris Inclusion – Connections Without Limits, a meeting open to the community that will bring together three stories of protagonism, overcoming and representativeness. The initiative takes place in Gramado, in Rio Grande do Sul, with support from Serra Park and in partnership with APAE Gramado.

The proposal is to take the debate on inclusion beyond the tourism sector, promoting an afternoon of reflection and exchange of experiences on diversity, accessibility and opportunities for people with disabilities.

The program will feature DJ HeyDoc, influencer and activist Manuela Vasquez and judoca Yves Dupont. The three guests will share their trajectories and experiences in different areas, highlighting the importance of access to opportunities and participation of people with disabilities in society.

According to Marta Rossi, CEO of Festuris, the partnership with APAE Gramado is part of a continuous work to expand opportunities and strengthen inclusion.

"This trajectory is also built in partnership with APAE Gramado, with initiatives aimed at productive inclusion and the expansion of opportunities. It is a partnership that reinforces a conviction that we carry with us: to promote inclusion is to transform realities," he says.

Three stories of protagonism and representativeness

Among the participants of Festuris Inclusão is DJ HeyDoc, a young autistic artist who has built an international career through music.

The artist found in the musical activity a form of expression, communication and connection with different audiences. His trajectory shows how art can contribute to bringing people together and expanding understanding about diversity.

During the meeting, HeyDoc will be accompanied by his mother and businesswoman, Sandra Gabriel, who participates in his artistic development trajectory.

Another guest is the influencer and activist Manuela Vasquez, who took her experience and her advocacy for the rights of people with Down syndrome to Geneva, Switzerland.

Manuela spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Council, addressing the importance of support networks, inclusion and guaranteeing rights.

His participation in Festuris seeks to broaden the discussion on autonomy and representativeness, especially on the need to ensure that people with disabilities have a voice and participation in decisions that involve their own lives.

The influencer will be accompanied by her mother, businesswoman Leonor Bernhoeft, who follows her trajectory of activism and protagonism.

Judoca who made history in Brazilian sport will also participate

The third guest is the Gaucho athlete Yves Dupont, who made history in Brazilian judo by becoming, in 2007, the first judoca with Down syndrome to win the black belt in Rio Grande do Sul and the second in Brazil.

Throughout his career, Yves has represented the country in international competitions and won medals in stages of Judo For All.

The athlete’s trajectory highlights the importance of access to sport and opportunities for the development of skills, the achievement of autonomy and the recognition of people with disabilities.

At the event, Yves will be accompanied by his teacher and judo coach, Daniel Pires.

The event aims to lead a debate on inclusion for the whole society

The Festuris Inclusion – Connections Without Limits was conceived to create a space for listening and approach between the community and people who have different life experiences.

The expectation of the organizers is that the stories presented during the meeting will contribute to broaden the debate on inclusion in environments such as schools, companies, institutions and public spaces.

For Eduardo Zorzanello, CEO of Festuris, the event seeks to stimulate reflections that can result in concrete changes in society.

“Often, it’s a story that makes us rethink concepts. It's a trajectory that breaks prejudices. It is a person who shows us that the limits can be much more in the barriers we build than in the differences that exist between us.”

Zorzanello also emphasizes that the proposal is to make the impact of the meeting exceed the space of the event.

“We want each story to inspire a reflection, but also an attitude. Don't let the meeting end when the stage lights go out. That the connections built there can reach families, businesses, schools, public spaces and all places where inclusion needs to happen concretely.

Partnership with APAE Gramado strengthens initiative

The realization of the meeting counts on the partnership of APAE Gramado, an institution that acts in the service and in the defense of the rights of people with disabilities.

The entity develops actions aimed at the valorization of individual potentialities, social inclusion and the expansion of opportunities.

The partnership with Festuris seeks to strengthen these initiatives and bring the community closer to experiences that contribute to reducing barriers and expanding the participation of people with disabilities in different areas of society.

With the realization of the Festuris Inclusion – Connections Without Limits, the organizers intend to consolidate inclusion as a permanent agenda, which must be present not only in specific events, but also in daily relationships, in the labor market, in education and in other social sectors.

The meeting will be held on November 13, in Gramado, and will be open to the participation of the community.

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