Public photo exhibition on chronic illness and family caregiving now on display in Szeged

News

Mar 29

SZEGED, Hungary — A public photo exhibition highlighting the realities of chronic illness and the role of family caregivers opened Saturday on Klauzál Square.

The outdoor exhibition, organized by the Támaszadók (Supporters) Movement, focuses not only on people living with long-term illnesses but also on the family members who care for them at home. The exhibition arrived in Szeged after being shown in Budapest.

In opening remarks, activist and healthcare journalist László B. Papp said the lives of chronically ill patients are shaped largely by the support systems around them, most often their families. While a diagnosis carries a single name, he said, “in reality, an entire family receives it.”

The exhibition presents 10 families through 90 photographs taken by photographers János Kummer and Péter Zsolnai, offering insight into the daily lives of those affected by long-term illness and home care.

The display is bilingual, with captions and texts available in both Hungarian and English.

Speaking at the opening, sociologist Mónika Deli said a study involving 2,000 participants found that families providing care often face significant physical and emotional strain, frequently beyond their capacity or preparation. In many cases, caregivers’ own health deteriorates, she said.

According to the research, three-quarters of the families surveyed experience exhaustion and increased emotional burden, while two-thirds report feelings of helplessness and a lack of external support or opportunities for recovery.

Deli said the exhibition also aims to encourage broader social awareness and support for caregiving families, noting that even small acts of help can make a difference.

Photographer Péter Zsolnai said the project sought to “open a window” onto otherwise unseen environments, adding that the photographers spent extended time with the families and became part of their daily lives during the process.

Among those featured is Anikó, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for two decades and attended the opening. She said the disease reshaped her life but credited her family’s support and a shift in mindset for helping her cope.

Organizers said that while the exhibition presents 10 families, similar situations affect hundreds of thousands of households across Hungary. They encouraged visitors to consider how they might support caregiving families in their own communities.