“Breathing dance” for cleaner air in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is revitalised through the beautiful square Kongresni trg that was renewed a few months ago. Beneath the square, the City of Ljubljana constructed an underground garage to free public space for socialising at nearby cafés, walking through a park or attending cultural events in an area that used to be a large parking place.
During European Mobility Week 2011, CIVITAS ELAN decided to organise an event on the square to promote the idea that such magnificent places should be a centre of happening. Together with Kazina dance school ELAN organised a massive dance event, a “flash mob” called “I Breathe Dance”. The show emphasised the efforts to improve air quality in the city. All elementary schools in Ljubljana were invited by the Mayor Zoran Janković to participate in this event - and 500 of them did! They were later joined by approximately 150 other dancers and members of the Association of Handicapped of Ljubljana Region who danced in wheelchairs. What a sight! It was altogether a fascinating event, promoting sustainable mobility and better quality of life, that hasn’t remained unnoticed. Because of its huge success, the event is likely to be repeated next year.
Author: Kontić Vita