The exhibition was opened by Prof. Rafał Matera, Rector of the University of Lodz, and dr hab. Mariusz Sokołowicz, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz. During the inauguration, Prof. Matera underlined the importance of historical memory and the need to pay attention to current events on the eastern border of Poland:
Memory is short, memory is weak. If we do not remind what is happening on our eastern border, we will be the next Trumps (…). Let's observe what is happening, let's show the world that this is a war, people are dying here. Let us never forget who is the aggressor and who is the victim. I will certainly guard this memory as a human being and as a person who heads an institution that is in charge of the responsible education of future generations
– said Prof. Rafał Matera
The Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, dr hab. Mariusz Sokołowicz, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, pointed out that values should not be reduced solely to the economic dimension:
The "Unissued diplomas" exhibition commemorates people who did not manage to collect their diplomas, but also reminds us that value is not only money. If we limit value to money and transactions, we will limit it to a group of people in the Oval Office who are picking on someone for not wearing a suit, and forget about the most important values, i.e. who is the aggressor and who is being attacked. They forget who dies for no reason at all or in the name of freedom and democracy, and who only wants to make money from it. Values are not only about making money, above all they are about people, and let's remember about people – that's what this exhibition is for.
The exhibition is available to visitors on the premises of the University of Lodz (Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, Rewolucji 1905r. 39/41, building T, ground floor) and is an important voice in the debate on values, historical memory and contemporary geopolitical challenges.
"Unissued Diplomas"
"Unissued diplomas" is an exhibition about unfulfilled dreams, interrupted lives and unrealized potential.
"Unissued Diplomas" is an international exhibition that honours the memory of 40 Ukrainian students who will never graduate or fulfil their dreams. During the exhibition, the viewers will be able to get to know the life stories of young and brave students who died as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Each "unissued diploma" presents a biography of a student from Ukrainian university, which was provided to the exhibition organisers by their families.
The aim of the exhibition is also to remind everyone about the ongoing war, in which everyday life in Ukraine is still associated with losses, pain and uncertainty, as well as to pay tribute to the courage and determination of students, which accompanied them throughout their lives before they were taken by the war.
The Lodz edition of the exhibition is held at the initiative of Dr Yaryna Khmara and Artem Luhovyi from the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz. The organisers of the exhibition are the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts Łódź and the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz.
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski