In the heart of Ljubljana, it wasn’t just about dancing and playing—it was about writing important stories of inclusion. From May 26 to May 30, 2026, Derby Group was delighted to support the jubilee 20th International Festival “Play With Me” (Igraj se z mano).
Between Congress Square and Zvezda Park, a truly special energy filled the air. The festival, organized by the Janez Levec Center Ljubljana and the Society for culture of inclusion, celebrated two decades of bringing people together. For us at Derby, this wasn’t just a sponsorship—it was an opportunity to put our sustainability strategy into real-world practice.
More than just visitors; active co-creators
This year’s numbers are impressive: the festival hosted over 10,000 visitors, with more than 1,000 performers from 6 different countries taking the stage. But what inspired us most was happening behind the scenes.
Did you know that people with special needs took on key roles at the festival? Under the guidance of mentors, they helped with:
- Logistics and venue preparation,
- Event organization,
- Execution of the entire program.
At Derby Group, we believe this is the heart of inclusion. Instead of being mere observers, they became active contributors, gaining valuable experience and building the confidence needed to enter the labor market in the future.
Our roots are in the community
We are proud that through our presence and Derby® fruit, we can nourish the social fabric. Our sustainability strategy isn’t just a document in an office—it is active support for local institutions and projects that truly push the boundaries in our minds and hearts.
Every choice of Derby® fruit is a small step toward a more inclusive world.
A huge thank you to the festival team for an unforgettable 20 years. We are already looking forward to the next twenty!
Check out the highlights from the festival in our gallery below or on the official website www.igrajsezmano.eu.