Below that is a QR code, plus IBAN and BIC numbers for donations to the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 3 qr-codes over the door handle. Those codes lead to the exhibition plans in German, simplified German and English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you walk through the entrance door, you continue walking straight ahead. On the wall to your left are hanging large prints of the photography by Ferhat Bouda of Edgar, a young athlete with Down syndrome. They show Edgar doing sports in the hall, at home, and out and about. The first six images show Edgar at home, training with a punching bag, and in a sports hall. One large image shows Edgar standing in front of an exterior wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the double doors, there are four more images showing Edgar being active in a sports hall. Edgar is doing a handstand and is photographed while moving. Two of the images show him hugging another boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next to the photographs hangs a poster with text. This text introduces Edgar: Edgar is 17, a student in the eleventh grade, and very athletic. He always has been. He was three years old when he started doing sports. And even though he did not join an inclusive sports group, it worked out great. Later, he went to a music school and discovered his passion for dancing. It was a class with ten boys, who later even took part in the National Dance Competition in Bonn. But that was only the start of his career: At the age of ten, he danced in “The Nutcracker” at the Leipzig Opera. During his first performance, he lost his shoe and turned to the other performers (who were playing Edgar’s mom and dad), because at that time he still could not tie his shoelaces. Later, he started at a breakdance studio, and after taking part in several inclusive sports festivals, Edgar conquered the Special Olympics dance competition. And he won the gold medal. But that was not all: In 2025, he discovered gymnastics for himself.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the wall opposite the entrance door hang photographs of Lara, a young athlete with Down syndrome. Images in various sizes show her, just like Edgar, doing sports and in her social environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The images show Lara in portrait. Several images show her with family and friends, doing sports or hugging. One image shows Lara in a pink dress, running through a sports hall. The last image shows her with other children; all are wearing the same blue T-shirt and cheering up towards the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A text about her tells her story: “My family is the most important thing to me.” That is what seven-year-old Lara from Herdorf says. She is in second grade, and for her, family means “sticking together, laughing together, cuddling, having adventures, and loving each other just the way we are.” Lara’s role model is her older sister Marie, with whom she shares many hobbies and her greatest passion: music. Her older brother is also very important to Lara, because she is a true family person. Sometimes Lara is the little “boss of the family.” And not rarely, she is also the one who always thinks ahead. In the mornings, she makes sure that no one sleeps too long. As soon as she is awake herself, she wakes up her family. Lovingly. And outside the family? That is where her two best friends, Aurora and Klara, play the main role. With her girls, the self-proclaimed world champion cuddler has lots of fun. And the three of them go dancing at a club. Lara practices the steps she learned at home for hours until they are just right.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you continue walking, you will find the glass storefront. On it are images of a young athlete named Svea. The images of Svea are oriented inward into the room and show her climbing, playing ball, and at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nine large images show Svea. She is leaning against a kitchen counter; in another image, her face is seen smiling through a window. The other images show her playing team sports, holding a red ball, climbing with a harness, and holding a medal up to the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A text about Svea tells you about her: Svea is 24 years old and describes her childhood and school days herself as “colorful and diverse \u2013 from inclusive daycare to Montessori school to secondary school.” Today, she works at Carli’s Coffee Roastery. In her free time, she is active whenever she can. She is a big football fan. Her heart beats for Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. Svea likes to swim and rides her bike a lot. And in winter, you can see her on the cross-country ski trails. But her great passion is cheerleading. She is a cheerleader with all her heart! In the meantime, she shares her love for this sport, her experience, and her moves with other cheerleaders as an assistant coach. She loves training together with the others and constantly pushing herself to grow. Svea is a positive person through and through: whether with her family, at work, in sports, or in South Tyrol on the ski slope and at apr\u00e8s-ski. She looks forward to all the experiences the day brings!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the glass pane hang prints, the logo of the German Down-Athletes Festival, and the title of the exhibition \u201cAuf dem Weg\u201d (\u201cOn the Way\u201d). These images are directed outward toward the B-level of the Hauptwache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you let yourself be guided by the skirting board of the window front, you will find the last exhibition wall next to the entrance door. On this wall a large-scale image is mounted. It shows several children in climbing harnesses on an indoor climbing wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need more support in the room or would like detailed image descriptions, please feel free to contact the customer service team in the foyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n An exhibition by DIALOGMUSEUM in cooperation with Deutsches Down-Sportfestival. Funded by Stabsstelle Stadtmarketing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Copyright: Ferhat Bouda<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sponsors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On the Way: The German Down-Athletes Festival. Photography by Ferhat Bouda Exhibition Layout and Navigation English: The exhibition takes place in a bright room connected to the foyer of the museum. Go through the entrance door of the museum and follow the tactile system on the floor to find the exhibition. 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