An evening with cinema and talks about what is normal?

In October 2022, the Ministry of Welfare, in cooperation with the Norwegian Embassy in Latvia, invited everyone to attend thematic cinema evenings in five cities of Latvia – Sigulda, Madona, Ventspils, Rezekne and Jekabpils – to watch the Norwegian film “Elling” and to think about what is normal.

October is the International Month of Mental Health, so visitors were offered the “Elling” art film, based on a touching and exciting story about Elling, a man with mental disabilities who, in the loss of his only family, his mother, is becoming independent with the help of the Oslo social services and is gradually part of society.

To better understand the film and people with mental disabilities, visitors to the event were offered a discussion with the cinema expert, Sergey Timonin, and a conversation with Arvid Dennis, a man with mental disabilities who, thanks to social services and fellow people, like the film's protagonist, was successfully integrated into society in one of the cities of Latvia, Ogre.

Visitors were also offered a brief insight into the work of the Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia, the European Commission, and the State of Norway in forming an inclusive society, and an explanation of the importance of European Union funds and European Economic Area grant support.