Katarina Line has always had the sensibility of helping various associations, people in need. We like to reward those who work hard as well, those who deserve it with their efforts, but in our hearts, a special place is occupied by Down Syndrome. It is a trisomy that characterizes the individuals concerned with an excess chromosome, causes certain difficulties, and carries diversity.

We have tried to contribute through various activities over the years and support the initiative of inclusion and set goals of the Association Rijeka 21. In the need to sensitize the community to people with disabilities, in need of changing perceptions of the environment and creating a future for people with Down syndrome last five years we tried to do as much as we could do. Thus, in 2017, on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of our agency, we collected the amount of 30,000 euros, which we then donated to the associations for the DS in Rijeka and Dubrovnik. In the following years, we also allocated funds so that the projects and programs of the associations could be realized as efficiently and successfully as possible. Realizing the importance of the initiative, our partners joined with donations and support, supporting the vision of everything that this friendship of our agency and association brings.

Specifically, the project of the Association Rijeka 21 is called significantly Vidimo sE! SeE you! 

The visual carries the message that is the goal of the association's project: "see you at school, at work, in the theatre, on the playground, at a game, at tea, at a fashion show, on the calendar ..." And on the letter "E" is placed "the fourth dash alluding to the excess chromosomes that people with DS have. At the same time, it symbolizes diversity, beauty in diversity, and the message that it’s okay to “be different” because ultimately we’re all different, too.                                                                 

For the project to resonate as well as possible, we had a wonderful collaboration. An agency calendar for 2021 was made, and members of the Rijeka21 were models. It is a calendar that the agency donates to its partners around the world: approximately 3,000 such calendars "travel" to the world. The message of that whole campaign was that inclusion is not a privilege, it is right! Love without prejudice and love without limits. Opportunities equal for everyone, without prejudices and limits.

#Theluckyfew goes hand in hand with such thinking. It’s not just a hashtag on Instagram, it’s a sign. Three arrows on a tattoo that point towards the future, a better tomorrow, towards the sky. Because only the sky is the limit, isn't it ?! That tattoo grew into a movement. It has grown into a sign of recognition among people. Whoever has that sign carries that special feature - it means that there is someone in their life who has DS, or loves a person who has this significant trisomy. That's how #theluckyfew came to life on our ships, all our T-shirts and the agency's logo.

Is there a difference? Does that difference ultimately matter? It doesn’t. And it carries a strong message. A message of acceptance, love, a message of values ​​and symbolism of struggle. And ultimately the most important thing, the message of equality in diversity.

If you would like to join us and help further, you are welcome to donate additionally for this valuable cause. Even 1€ will help our cause further, so we thank you in advance for joining us in this charitable celebration. 

Thank you for cruising with Katarina Line and helping us help our community!