Journey to the rainbow - Exhibition of works by authors with multiple sclerosis
Dozens of paintings, photographs and handicrafts made by patients with multiple sclerosis have been on display at the Matěj Josef Sychra Library in Žďár nad Sázavou since 5 October. The exhibition entitled Journey to the Rainbow is organized by the local patient organization ROSKA in cooperation with the IMPULS Foundation.
Dozens of paintings, photographs, and handicrafts made by patients with multiple sclerosis are on display at the Matěj Josef Sychra Library in Žďár nad Sázavou until the end of October. The exhibition entitled Journey to the Rainbow is organized by the local patient organization ROSKA in cooperation with the IMPULS Foundation. Artistic activities help patients cope with the disease, which is manifested by visual impairment or problems with coordination of movement and is often accompanied by fatigue, anxiety, or depression. Over 22,000 people in the Czech Republic suffer from multiple sclerosis.
"People with MS are bravely fighting their incurable disease, trying to live just like healthy people. To do all this, not only treatment, but also creation helps. Patients paint, photograph, model and present their works at the annual exhibition Journey to the Rainbow. This year, for the first time, it is being held outside of Prague - the 21st edition is hosted by Žďár nad Sázavou. The patients' artworks will be on display until the end of October," says Kateřina Bémová from the IMPULS Foundation. "We have been trying to spread awareness of multiple sclerosis for a long time and to show patients that they are not alone in their disease. Even an incurable disease is no reason not to enjoy life to the full. The proof is in the people who don't give up and fight the disease. Many of them are helped by the art world."
Patients with multiple sclerosis have been exhibiting their works since 2001. The number of authors is growing and their activities are varied - they present not only drawings, paintings and photographs, but also ceramics and jewellery. "The exhibition is full of optimism, hope and inspiration for others," says Kateřina Bémová. This year's exhibition is exceptional because it is the first time it has been held outside Prague. In Žďár nad Sázavou, it will follow the international travelling exhibition Scattered Beauty.
"We are very happy that we managed to get both exhibitions to Žďár. There are a lot of people with multiple sclerosis living among us and often we don't even know about them. That is why it is important to draw attention to this disease," emphasizes Ivo Veselý from the ROSKA Žďár nad Sázavou association, who is connected to the patient organization by his mother-in-law, who was also treated for MS. "My wife and I decided to continue her activities and we took over the association from her. My wife's sister also has multiple sclerosis - that makes our work all the more meaningful," explains Ivo Veselý.
In his opinion, exhibitions or events of this type are very important, because in addition to raising awareness, they show that it is possible to live fully with MS. Visitors to Žďár nad Sázavou will be able to see the artworks of patients in the Matěj Josef Sychra Library, where a festive opening was also held on 12 October, where, in addition to the organizers, patients with multiple sclerosis also arrived. "The exhibition will be open until the end of October - every day except Sunday. It will also feature the winning pictures of children from the Let's Light up the Czech Republic competition, who paint in support of the patients," adds Dana Licková, head of library services.
"Thanks to these meetings, apart from regular check-ups at the MS Centre, we can get to know patients in a different way, and this can also move us forward and inspire us." MUDr. Iva Šrotová, Ph.D., a physician from the Neurological Clinic of the FM MU and FN Brno from the Centre for the Treatment of Demyelinating Diseases, commented in her introductory remarks.
"Getting to know the community of people with multiple sclerosis was a new experience for me. I am glad that it was on such a nice occasion as the opening and I could experience the family atmosphere they created there. I believe that the workshops that were prepared also contributed to making everyone feel comfortable and to allowing this community to develop further." adds Anna Jurčáková, a final-year student of general medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University in Brno.
