Touching an Egyptian sarcophagus, “reading” a fresco with one’s hands, discovering a Van Gogh masterpiece through sign language: these are just some of the experiences awaiting adults and children alike at the second edition of “Tutti al Museo: storie da toccare, vedere, ascoltare” (“Everyone to the Museum: stories to touch, see and hear”), the small accessibility festival organised by the Educational Services of the Civic Museums of Padua.

Following the success of the first edition, the initiative returns with twelve new events, made possible thanks to the support of UICI (Italian Union of Blind and Partially Sighted People), ENS (National Deaf Association) and Gruppo Asperger APS. The aim is clear: to make art and history genuinely accessible to everyone, overcoming the sensory and cognitive barriers that often distance people with disabilities from cultural venues.

A museum to be experienced through all the senses

The programme, which takes place between October and November, offers guided tours and workshops designed for a broad and diverse audience. Many events are supported by LIS interpreters for deaf people, while other activities offer multisensory experiences – tactile, olfactory and auditory – designed for people with visual disabilities.

Among the most original activities are the tactile tours at the Archaeological Museum, where visitors can “touch” history through Egyptian and Roman artefacts, and at the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art, where 3D reproductions and tactile drawings make it possible to explore masterpieces by Giotto, Bellini and Canova.

There is also plenty on offer for younger visitors, with dedicated workshops such as “Picasso è tutto storto!” (“Picasso is all wonky!”) and “Tra le onde di Van Gogh” (“Among Van Gogh’s Waves”), designed to introduce children to art in a playful and inclusive way. Of particular significance is the “Braille e LIS per tutti” (“Braille and LIS for Everyone”) workshop, which invites children to put themselves in the shoes of peers with visual or hearing disabilities, discovering different ways of experiencing and understanding the world.

A special focus on people with Asperger’s

This year also sees the introduction of two events dedicated to young people with Asperger’s syndrome and their families: a visit to the Oratory of San Rocco, exploring stories of the plague and Renaissance frescoes, and a visit to the Palazzo della Ragione, to admire its famous astrological cycle and its 333 frescoes.

How to take part

The initiative is completely free of charge, with a number of places reserved for people with disabilities. All the participating museum venues are wheelchair accessible.

Booking is mandatory. To book, you can email padovadidatticamusei@gmail.com or call +39 351 4736912, Monday to Friday, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm.

A unique opportunity to discover that when culture is designed for everyone, it becomes richer for each and every one of us.