Antalya hosted a unique international event – the Day of Extraability, which transformed the sunny coast into a platform for human mutual understanding. The event became a space not for formal inclusion, but for mutual enrichment, where diverse people – with and without disabilities – shared their experiences, energy, and knowledge with each other
The day began with an inspiring speech by Oleg Kolpashchikov, head of the "Sails of the Spirit" project, who set the tone for the entire event. He spoke about unity and the strength that emerges when we are open to dialogue. Then, guests from Turkey and other countries, united in mixed teams, set off on an exciting regatta. Representatives from a local center for people with Down syndrome brought special joy and a unique spirit to the competitions; their sincerity and engagement filled all the teams with optimism.
"I am immensely happy that there are such people, the organizers of the international movement 'Sails of the Spirit.' An extraordinarily important event. I was particularly impressed that blind people from nine countries are participating in the project and enjoying life. And looking at them, no person who is healthy can complain about their life. It is very important to feel involved in such a movement. It helps one to understand oneself and the unlimited abilities of people. I was very touched by the youth – there is someone to pass on our experience and knowledge to," shared a middle-aged volunteer, a member of the Russian society, Rakhat Akhanovna Shaisultanova.
The regatta results vividly demonstrated the power of collaboration. The first place was triumphantly taken by the crew of the yacht "Instant Zero," which had the largest number of participants from the Down syndrome center. The second place went to the team "My Story" with a captain from Mersin, and the honorable third place was won by the team "Nezli," which united members of the Russian society in Antalya and people with disabilities.
After the award ceremony, where teams received medals and diplomas, the participants moved to the "Mukaddes Aksoy" rehabilitation center, where a series of master classes began. Here, everyone could be both a student and a teacher. Participants immersed themselves in a "Journey Between Worlds," mastered the art of plasticineography, and learned to create complex rope knots in a master class from the "Instant Zero" crew.
The day concluded with a magnificent concert, which became a symbol of the unity of cultures and possibilities. On one stage performed residents of the "Mukaddes Aksoy" center, participants of the "Sails of the Spirit" project from Iran, representatives of the Azerbaijani and Tatar diasporas, and the vibrant finale was an energetic Zumba session by İlkay İlmaz from Mersin. The organizers express their immense gratitude for the invaluable support to the head of the center, Marina Sorokina, and the translator, Alina Tosun, who were presented with commemorative gifts.
This day was made possible through collaboration with the Russian Society in Antalya and the "Mukaddes Aksoy" rehabilitation center. It clearly showed that when people meet not as representatives of different groups, but as individuals ready to share and learn, that very mutual enrichment is born, which makes us stronger.
Project Partners
State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom"
Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)
Medscan Group of Companies
Sverdlovsk Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society
Extraability Movement
Institute for Management Design and Competitive Strategies, LLC
Tarsus Disability Platform
Turkish Federation of the Visually Impaired
Mersin Municipality
Tarsus Municipality
Mersin City Council
Disability Assembly of the Mersin City Council
Disability Assembly of the Tarsus City Council
Disability Assembly of the Trabzon City Council
"Mukaddes Aksoy" Private Patient Care Center
Mersin Marina
"Akyazı Yachting" Water Sports Club
Eurasian "Life Without Barriers" Association
Russian Society in Antalya
"Dr. Volkova's Rehabilitation" Clinic
"Eldorado-Tur" LLC
This day was made possible through collaboration with the Russian Society in Antalya and the "Mukaddes Aksoy" rehabilitation center. It clearly showed that when people meet not as representatives of different groups, but as individuals ready to share and learn, that very mutual enrichment is born, which makes us stronger.
Project Partners
State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom"
Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)
Medscan Group of Companies
Sverdlovsk Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society
Extraability Movement
Institute for Management Design and Competitive Strategies, LLC
Tarsus Disability Platform
Turkish Federation of the Visually Impaired
Mersin Municipality
Tarsus Municipality
Mersin City Council
Disability Assembly of the Mersin City Council
Disability Assembly of the Tarsus City Council
Disability Assembly of the Trabzon City Council
"Mukaddes Aksoy" Private Patient Care Center
Mersin Marina
"Akyazı Yachting" Water Sports Club
Eurasian "Life Without Barriers" Association
Russian Society in Antalya
"Dr. Volkova's Rehabilitation" Clinic
"Eldorado-Tur" LLC