MSP Terminal 1, See18 Gallery
January 9, 2025 - April 30, 2025

Named after the Polish spelling of kaleidoscope, the Minnesota Polish Medical Society's "Kalejdoskop" project was initiated to recount the narrative of the Polish-American Community, particularly focusing on the stories of post-World War II immigrants who relocated to Minnesota. The overarching goal was to enrich the historical record with information about the postwar Polish-American immigrant experience within Minnesota's culture and the broader American context. It was carried out through interviews and photographs in several phases of this multi-year project and culminated in mobile photographic exhibitions.

The second chapter of the Kalejdoskop Polski MN project, "Faces of Solidarity," chronicles the experiences of Solidarity activists in the 1980s who fought to end communist rule in Poland following World War II. Becoming one of Europe's most notable social movements, the Solidarity movement garnered support from individuals across the political spectrum worldwide. As a consequence of participating in this movement, however, many individuals experienced repression, including imprisonment by the state. Some of these individuals moved to Minnesota as refugees. "Faces of Solidarity" sheds light on the experiences of Solidarity activists, turned political prisoners and refugees in Minnesota, chronicling their transition to a life free from political repression, the role of Minnesota's culture in facilitating their integration, and the impact of their social activism.

Grzegorz Litynski, a seasoned documentary photographer (www.litynski.com), captured the essence of these compelling narratives through his lens.