This year, during Pride Month, the University of Lodz Library has the honour of hosting two photographic exhibitions that align with the tradition of openness to diverse human experiences and stories.
Who is it for: all members of the UniLodz community and the local community; free admission
When and where: opening on 2 June 2026 at 1:15 pm, in the lobby of the University of Lodz Library. The exhibitions can be viewed until 15 June during the library’s opening hours.
Organisers:
- substantive supervision: Embassy of Canada to Poland, LGBT Military for Equal Rights
- organisational support: University of Lodz Library, Centre for Organising Cultural Events and Conferences, University of Lodz
Canada’s path to equality – an exhibition prepared by the Embassy of Canada in Poland
Canada is widely recognised as one of the most open and inclusive countries in the world, respecting the rights of LGBT+ individuals. However, this level of acceptance and legal equality did not emerge overnight. The exhibition tells the story of Canada’s journey – one marked by activism, challenges, victories and an ongoing struggle for rights.
Through powerful photographs, historical narratives and personal testimonies, the exhibition highlights the courage and resilience of individuals and communities that fought for their rights and contributed to building a more inclusive society. It also serves as a reminder that the struggle for equality continues – both in Canada and around the world.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity to reflect on the universal struggle for human rights.
Faces of Courage – LGBTQ+ soldiers defending Ukraine
The second exhibition presented in the building of the University of Lodz Library is dedicated to the Ukraine-based organisation LGBT Military for Equal Rights, which brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community currently serving in the military or who are veterans.
The exhibition “Visible in Death, Unseen in Life” is a memorial and advocacy project dedicated to members of the LGBTIQ+ community in Ukraine who lost their lives defending their country against Russian aggression.
The protagonists of the exhibition are individuals who, during their often short lives, made the decision to come out as members of the LGBTQ+ community – therefore we can see their faces. The second group – larger in number – consists of individuals who remained “hidden” due to fear, danger, discrimination, or personal circumstances; for this reason, their faces are blurred to protect their privacy and that of their loved ones even after death. The exhibition does not present a complete list of all fallen soldiers, but only those about whom it was possible to gather information while maintaining the safety of their families and respecting their memory. Many of those who have died in the war remain unknown and invisible. The presence of blurred portraits highlights a significant issue: LGBTQ+ individuals are part of the Ukrainian military and society, yet they often remain unseen, even when they sacrifice their lives for their country.
These are individuals who bravely defended Ukraine but were unable to fully be themselves during their lifetimes. The exhibition reminds us that every victim of this war is, above all, a human being – with their own story, courage and sacrifice. It is not only a story about discovering and revealing one’s identity, but also about confronting prejudice, which continues to accompany us in everyday life regardless of the social group to which we belong.
The event is held with the support of the University of Lodz Equality Council.
