Faces of Solidarity - Polish Refugees in Minnesota is a photographic tribute to the Polish Solidarity political refugees that settled in Minnesota. Throughout 2021 we collected their oral histories and portraits. This art exhibit is launching in December 2021, marking the 40th anniversary of martial law in Poland.
The Faces of Solidarity - Polish Refugees in Minnesota exhibition pays tribute to the Polish Solidarity political refugees who found a new home in Minnesota. This collection of oral histories and portraits, gathered throughout 2021, serves as a visual documentation of their experiences. The exhibit is scheduled to launch in December 2021, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of martial law in Poland.
This exhibition is an integral part of the larger Kalejdoskop Polski MN project, which aims to tell the story of the Polish-American community, with a particular focus on post-World War II immigrants. Through this project, the goal is to provide education on history and celebrate the resilience of the community.
Leading the visual history aspect of the project is Grzegorz Litynski, an esteemed photographer and Head of the Department of Travel, Documentary Photography, and Photojournalism at the Technical University in Katowice, Poland. With a strong emphasis on visual history, Grzegorz has undertaken numerous research and collection projects across Europe, North America, and Asia, earning recognition through prestigious awards for his work.
The exhibition will open on Friday, December 3rd at the Minnesota State Capitol and will be accessible during business hours until January 7th, 2022. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the stories and portraits, gaining insight into the journey and resilience of the Polish Solidarity refugees in Minnesota.
Virtual Exhibition:
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
This publication was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.