Cross-cultural Communication and Social Participation

Varna – Bulgaria 

01.11.2025 – 05.11.2025,

By Damla Sürgülü

Last week in Varna, two separate “Shtak Tuk-Tam! Adapt Yourself!” events were held, focusing on inclusivity, social participation, sports, and the combined strength of international volunteering. The activities were open to individuals of all ages, from 7 to 70, and prioritized the active participation of people with disabilities. The first event took place between 11:00 and 18:00 in an area set up at the entrance of Sea Garden, while the second event was held at a private school in Varna between 8:30 and 11:30.

The main goal of the Adapt Sport, which has been organized many times in the past, is to encourage the active participation of people with disabilities in social life and to facilitate their access to organized activities. This comprehensive event is organized by Association FOR YOU and is repeated several times a year to raise awareness within the community.

Before the festival, both local volunteers and international participants from various countries took part in a brief training process and then took their positions in the activity areas. Volunteers from Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, and Bulgaria played an active role in the event, contributing to its inclusive nature.

Program Content:

• Wheelchair basketball
  
• Showdown – a version of table tennis for visually impaired people
  
• Wheelchair tennis and table tennis
  
• Canadian wrestling
  
• Table soccer
  
• Chess and backgammon
  
• Virtual Reality (VR)
  
• Art Workshop (Sea Garden)

Observations

Throughout the event, volunteer teams based their communication with participants with disabilities on the principles of respect, openness, and accessibility. Asking for permission before offering help, providing clear and understandable guidance, respecting personal space, and viewing participants as equals formed the foundation of communication. This approach contributed to creating an inclusive environment and ensured that each participant felt safe and valued. 

Interviewed volunteers: Damla Sürgülü, Мария Кацарова, Катерина Ялъмова, Тиманова Мария Игоревна

Intercultural & Multilingual Interaction

Throughout the event, a strong intercultural communication environment was established among volunteers and participants from different countries. The simultaneous use of multiple languages—such as Bulgarian, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian, and English—enhanced the inclusive nature of the event. This multilingual interaction strengthened cooperation among volunteers and allowed participants to experience cultural diversity firsthand. In this way, the event not only increased awareness of disability but also supported intercultural understanding and solidarity.

Awareness Impact

The content produced within the scope of the event created a significant impact both in raising awareness and increasing institutional visibility. Posts shared on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok helped the inclusive structure of the event reach wider audiences. Through these posts, messages promoting the active participation of people with disabilities in social life became more visible, and the activities of Association FOR YOU in the field of social sensitivity and inclusivity were recognized by a broader audience.

Small but Effective Experiences

During the event, our partner organization Black Sea Youth Center offered short experiential activities aimed at fostering empathy among participants. In this mini workshop, participants had one arm tied and were asked to complete simple daily tasks such as tying shoelaces and opening a water bottle using only one hand. Another participant had their eyes covered and was guided around the area by a volunteer. In the third experience, participants wore loud headphones to simulate communication difficulties and were asked to interpret spoken messages. These activities aimed to raise awareness by highlighting the challenges that different types of disabilities can create in daily life.

The event was implemented with funding from the “Youth Projects 2025” Program of Varna Municipality.

 

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