Human Rights Day in Skopje: eyes speak louder than words – in expressing diversity, determination and the right to equal treatment

If you walk through the busy hall of East Gate Mall during the holiday period your attention will certainly be drawn to a remarkable series of photos. Staring out at you are different pairs of eyes. Can you resist their gaze?

Take a look further and you will be able to learn about the people behind these eyes and their daily lives. There are stories of personal struggle but also, achievement, courage, resolve, and hope. Some advocate for others, some for themselves. All claim the right to equal treatment and all speak for the value of embracing difference and celebrating diversity.

The photo exhibition, which opened on 10 December, brings together a set of remarkable people - people from the Roma community, LGBTI, people with Down Syndrome, autism, cystic fibrosis, impaired vision or hearing, or other physical disability, human rights activists…. So take a moment next time you are in East Gate Mall to look at these beautiful eyes. And if you can, imagine how it is to look down through their eyes at you ….

Julijana Petrovska, Deniz Selmani, Andon Damovski, Mersiha Smailovikj, Tasim Mavmuti, Ivana Atanasovska, Lila Milikj, Ema Ananievska, Radmila Perikj, Martin Angelov, Simona Joveska, Erato Nora Kardula and Elena Petrovska come from different corners of life - students, café owners, anthropologists, PhD candidates, pianists; they are employees and family members; but above all – they are human and equal in dignity and rights. And they are agents for positive change who know how to inspire.

The exhibition (photos by Tatjana Rantasha and design by Zoran Kardula) will be open until 10 January 2022.