From 11 to 23 September in Rostov on Don at the state public library the UNAIDS project «Stars against AIDS» will be presented.

25 well-known Russian and Ukrainian actresses, singers, sportswomen, Deputies of the State Duma and members of public chamber will participate. The project is intended to oppose the HIV/AIDS epidemic and reduce the stigma and discrimination for people living with HIV.

Well-known photographer Serzh Golovach, who created 25 panoramic portraits of celebrities for the project, understood how to transmit the compassion and mutual anxiety in the portrait of each participant.

Maria Arbatova, the writer and Serge Golovach, the photographer 

Marina Alexandrova, theatre actress in «Sovreminnik» and in films, says:

— It disturbs me that the growth rate of HIV/AIDS in the country is very high. I am thinking of myself and my future children. I am thinking of the young generation, with whom I can speak the same language. It is very important that they know about safe sex and about how to protect themselves.

Another well-known actress, Alika Smekhova, is in complete agreement. She says:

— The attitude towards the people living with HIV in our country is shocking. Understanding the problem and having basic compassion is not enough. Patients in our country — they are like lepers, and this is intolerable. People must be given information about the disease in different ways, and that people living with HIV cannot be outcasts. And, of course, it is already necessary in high school to give news and educational lessons on safe sex and protection. It is also necessary to give complete information about other factors of risk — medical, for example.

Svetlana Khorkina, two-time Olympic champion in gymnastics, Deputy of the State Duma speaks out affirmatively:

— I took part in the project «Stars against AIDS» for several reasons. First, there is not one country in the world that does not have HIV — infected people; this is a general affliction for the entire planet. In the second place, unfortunately, no one under the sun is immune against this or other incurable illness, and many people simply do not perceive HIV — infected as normal people. And although I am certain that in the future humanity will learn to manage such illnesses and happiness on our planet will increase, until then, we should be able to sympathize and to help people. By my participation in the project, I want to present this thought to society — the greatest help for this subject, for those who suffer from AIDS, is attention from healthy people.

The opening of this exhibit, in which the nongovernmental organization «Young Physicians of Don» took an active part, takes place on September 11 at 14.00. In the project, a round table on the theme «Feminization of the Epidemic of HIV/AIDS» is planned, in which the representatives of the government and nongovernmental organizations working to respond to HIV/AIDS will participate.