Two powerful social exhibitions, "5 Shades of Beauty" and "Not-Childish Stories," break stereotypes through the art of photography and personal stories

      On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the space of the Public Support Headquarters of United Russia in the Republic of Tatarstan was filled with stories speaking of strength, acceptance and life without fear. Both exhibitions opened simultaneously as part of the "Headquarters-EXPO" project.

      Deputy Head of the Headquarters Anastasia Isaeva noted their contribution to cultivating a culture of inclusion and empathy in society. She emphasized that supporting such initiatives is an important part of social policy aimed at helping people with chronic illnesses and integrating them into full life.

      At the opening, the Headquarters' partners in the federal project "United" — the organizers of the exhibitions — also spoke.

      As Ruslan Allahverdiev, social projects manager at Geropharm LLC, said, the team behind the "Diabetes in Faces" project has for more than 10 years been implementing unique social activities aimed at improving diabetes management, increasing adherence to treatment and the psychological adaptation of people with this diagnosis. "The photo project '5 Shades of Beauty' became a vivid continuation of this work. Our team and blogger Kira Marchenko created it to show that diabetes is no reason to be ashamed of yourself. The heroines of the project — five women living with diabetes — openly show in the frame the marks from medical devices. Their stories speak to the importance of accepting the peculiarities of one’s body rather than feeling ashamed of them," he noted.

      From a medical point of view, the issue of patient support was highlighted by endocrinologist Chulpan Zainullina from the outpatient clinic of the Republican Clinical Hospital. She spoke about the comprehensive measures being taken in the Republic of Tatarstan to help patients with diabetes, including modern treatment methods, educational programs and psychological support aimed at improving their quality of life.

      Svetlana Izambaeva, head of the Not Scary Charitable Foundation and the first woman in Russia to publicly announce her HIV status, shared her view on the significance of such projects: "When we make topics like HIV or diabetes visible, we fight the main enemy — fear and ignorance. Each photograph here is a step toward society ceasing to fear diagnoses and beginning to see, first and foremost, the person."

      Svetlana Izambaeva spoke candidly about her journey from fear to acceptance and to actively helping others. "I have lived with HIV since 2002. Initially I told no one about my status, not even my mother... But I decided to show my face because I realized: if I stay silent today, tomorrow another girl may be left alone with her fear," she shared.

      Today Svetlana is the mother of two healthy children, living proof that adherence to treatment allows one to live a full life, form a family and not transmit the virus.

      She also spoke about the fates of children whose portraits were included in the "Not-Childish Stories" exhibition. The story was told of an 18-year-old activist who, having hidden her status from her partner and stopped therapy, died. There were other accounts — of children who acquired HIV at birth or who became victims of violence. Each story became a silent but eloquent call to society — to see, to hear and to support.

      The event showed how art and public discourse can become effective tools of social integration, breaking down barriers of misunderstanding. The meeting ended with lively conversation, once again proving that the main goal is to replace fear with knowledge, and stigma with understanding and humanity.

      The exhibitions are open for visitation at the United Russia Public Support Headquarters in the Republic of Tatarstan until December 30.

      More news about the event:

      At the United Russia Public Support Headquarters in the Republic of Tatarstan, social photo exhibitions opened

      On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, two social expositions — the photo project "5 Shades of Beauty" and the exhibition "Not-Childish Stories" — were presented at the United Russia Public Support Headquarters in the Republic of Tatarstan. 22:04 03.12.2025 Tatar-Inform News Agency - Kazan

      On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, exhibitions opened at the United Russia Public Support Headquarters in the Republic of Tatarstan

      Two deep social expositions "5 Shades of Beauty" and "Not-Childish Stories" break stereotypes through the art of photography and personal stories. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities the space of the United Russia Public Support Headquarters in the Repu… 21:47 03.12.2025 United Russia - Kazan

      Related news from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Today, December 3, the annual exhibition "Overcoming" opens in the Exhibition Hall of the I. I. Krylov House-Museum, timed to the Decade of Persons with Disabilities. The exhibition is organized by the Novocherkassk city organization of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People. 16:42 03.12.2025 Museum of Don Cossack History - Novocherkassk

      Measures of social support for persons with disabilities

      For Disability Day, an information board "Measures of social support for persons with disabilities" has been set up at the Yolkinskaya village library, where detailed information is provided about benefits and payments granted to all categories of the population. 14:57 03.12.2025 Centralized Library System of the Neysky District - Neya