Birmingham-based charity, The Vegan Society, celebrates its 80th year with an interactive exhibition, Veganism: Past, Present and Future
On display at the Library of Birmingham from Saturday 17 May to Saturday 23 August, the exhibition explores the history of veganism, the movement as it is today and looks forward to how vegan lifestyles might change in the future.
Through images, objects and videos, visitors can travel back in time to discover the story of veganism, from the pioneering vision of the first Vegan Society President, Donald Watson, to the work of the society in 2025. The exhibition explores the increasing popularity and benefits of modern-day veganism and looks ahead with our latest campaign, The Future Is Vegan.
Visitors can discover Birmingham’s early connections to the vegan movement, while learning about inspiring ethical eaters, including the city’s very own Benjamin Zephaniah, The Vegan Society’s much-missed Ambassador.
Items from The Vegan Society’s archive, which have not been on public display before, are available to view. These include Donald Watson’s wartime ration book and the letter exchange between Watson and Irish playwright and long-term vegetarian, George Bernard Shaw.
Veganism: Past, Present and Future features activities for all ages and visitors can slip on a VR headset and enter a vegan future in an immersive virtual reality experience, or have fun creating nutritious vegan recipes and playing food-sorting games in our play kitchen. (The virtual reality experience is free and will be available to audiences on Saturday afternoons, between 2pm and 4:30pm, throughout the exhibition.)
The Vegan Society’s Dr Sam Calvert says: “We’re delighted to be able to share our history, current work and future plans with the people of Birmingham and beyond – and honoured to base our exhibition at the prestigious Library of Birmingham, at the centre of the vegan movement.”
The exhibition is suitable for all ages and for children with parental guidance. It is free to attend and opens to the public from Saturday 17 May to Saturday 23 August 2025 at the Library of Birmingham, on the 3rd Floor in The Gallery. The exhibition is open during library opening hours: 11am–7pm Monday and Tuesday; 11am–5pm Wednesday to Saturday. The library and exhibition are closed on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.
