Rise above (Bagdad, Iraq 2019)

This photograph is from the first month of the social uprising  in Iraq known as Thwara Uktubar, which translates to October Revolution in 2019. At that point the demonstrations were lead by young Iraqis coming from all different social classes. They demanded work opportunities and an end of the corruption. Simply; a life in dignity. The pictured building is known in Bagdad as “Turkish Restaurant” (it was a famous restaurant in the 1980´s). Due to it´s important strategic location in central Bagdad, protesters occupied it and used it as headquarter.

The image shows a group of young men climbing up the scaffold of the so called “Turkish Restaurant”. Visible in the background is the Jumuriya bridge, leading to the fortified Green Zone. The Green Zone is  home of government institutions, embassies and international agencies. For many Iraqis it symbolizes  the inequality of their country. There the politicians enriching themselves on the countries oil wealth, here the people trying to make ends meet.

The young men climbing up the scaffold symbolize for me the wish to overcome the reality of their country. Rising above, following their dreams.

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