Transfer for use of the artistic bas-relief "Pursuit" to the Museum of Poland

For 2 years now, this symbol of free Belarus has been inspiring Belarusians in Lodz to continue their resistance and fight for the independence and freedom of Belarus.

Stowarzyszenie "NASI LUDZIE" together with the author of this bas-relief "Pursuit" announce the fundraising for the transfer of "Pursuit" to a museum in Poland.

The collected funds are needed by the organization to open the Integration Center in Lodz.

The activities of the Integration Center in Lodz will include:

- free consultations on legalization, law and other issues

- lessons of the Belarusian language and the history of Belarus for children and teenagers

- 3D modeling and programming classes for children and teenagers

- creative activities for children and teenagers

- Women's support center for girls aged 16 and over

- dance classes for children and teenagers

- acting school for children and teenagers

- watching films and other video materials in Belarusian and Polish

and many other integration events

Stowarzyszenie "NASI LUDZIE" has existed since 2020, when brutal repressions in Belarus forced thousands of Belarusians to leave their homeland and go to Poland.

Our volunteers helped to cope with the humanitarian crisis, integration and learning the Polish language

In 2022, representatives of the organization began to actively engage in helping Ukrainians who fled the war to Poland. Again thousands of lost destinies. Thousands of people found themselves alone with their problem in a foreign country

Together with organizations from Ukraine, Poland and Belarus, Stowarzyszenie "NASI LUDZIE" sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, organized the collection of clothing, food and household chemicals for refugees in Lodz. Together with the grocery store chains "Carrefour", "Kaufland Polska" and "Dino", they organized a collection of products for children (food, baby care products, etc.).

Until now, consultations are provided on migration, legalization, employment, etc.

Join the team, take part in the creation of the Integration Center for thousands of foreigners in Łódź and its surroundings.

The Permanent Exposition

Name

Bas-relief "Pursuit" - the author of the artwork is a political refugee and received asylum in Poland, having arrived from Belarus in September 2020

The work is done in the style of "Realism".

Start date: first half of July 2021

End date: mid-September 2021

Material, technique

Bas-relief production material - building foam, the top layer is gypsum plaster

The basis of the bas-relief is a combination of durable building materials (drywall board - 12.5mm, on top of the OSB building board - 12mm)

At the base of the bas-relief there are hidden cavities (6 pcs.), in which LED strips are mounted, which illuminate the words of the slogans of the Belarusian protest - "Long live Belarus! Live forever! We believe! We can! We will win!"

The work is painted with white acrylic paint (background-mat, bas-relief-gloss); mounts for mounting the bas-relief to the wall are selected with a margin of bearing capacity (weight) - about 250 kg; the total weight of the work is about 100kg

The object must be located in a dry, ventilated room, mounted on a wall, using powerful construction fasteners to a brick wall. It has no factors affecting its safety (in this position).

When lifting manually for installation, the integrity of the plaster was violated (thin, shallow cracks appeared in some places of the bas-relief).

Requires careful dismantling and transportation (additional reinforcement of the packaging is required)

Dimensions

length - 2200mm, width - 2000mm, height - 150mm

Story

The permanent exposition Bas-relief "Pursuit" opened on September 15, 2021 in the Polish city of Lodz, the building of the Center "Belarusians in Lodz" and we are glad to introduce you to it.

Talking about the protest activity of Belarusian citizens who were forced to leave their homeland for political reasons and moved to Lodz in the period from 2020-2021, we can easily say that at that time it was one of the largest movements in Poland of representatives of Belarusian activists, representatives most motivated and concerned about the situation in Belarus after the August 2020 elections

Many supportive Belarusians from all over Lodz came to protests in the city center, organized protests with the support of local authorities and business representatives. Since many people spoke out during the processions, they were able to attract the attention of the city authorities with their confidence and perseverance. Pani Hanna Elżbieta Zdanowska, Mayor of the City of Lodz, came out and joined one of the protests of Belarusians, later giving an interview to local television.

The Belarusian diaspora of Lodz, in that period of time, did a tremendous job, at the social level (humanitarian aid to refugees), and had a tremendous impact on political awareness in most European countries. The diaspora also made attempts to unite the Belarusian diaspora throughout Poland.

Like most representatives of the Belarusian diaspora in Lodz, the author of the work “Pursuit” was forced to come to Poland due to repressions in Belarus in 2020 for political reasons and received political asylum in Lodz.

The protest movement of caring Belarusians was imbued with the symbols of protests - a "White-red-white flag with the coat of arms "Pahonia" (Pursuit) and the famous national anthem of Belarus "Pahonia" (Pursuit) and other songs. Citizens of various nationalities greeted us with tears in their eyes and applause, smiles and friendly hugs, joining the crowd protesters. Each participant had distinctive signs - a white-red-white flag with the "Pahonia" (Pursuit) tied around his neck. Belarusians all over the world held pickets, marches and protests with “Pahonia”(Pursuit) flags.

An interested visitor of the permanent exposition will be able to plunge into the memories of that feeling of unbrokenness, unity and faith in changes for their country, as well as remember the path traveled during the years of emigration.