Identity and Belonging

Unfolding the thread of our most personal thoughts – streams of consciousness, we compose our personal narrative, either as a myth - allegory or as a presumption of trauma of a harsh war reality.

Mohamed Tayeb - “What if …?”

Yaman Junaid - “Where are you from?”

Hamid Tabassomi Shad

“Hello. I am Hamid from Iran, Tehran, 37 years old. My job in Iran was to sell women’s evening dress. For various reasons, I emigrated from Iran for Germany. But I could not get to Germany from Greece because on the first day the smuggler took my money and he escaped. I was always trying to get myself to Germany somehow, because each of my friends who passed by told me a lot about Germany. In the blink of an eye, 3 and a half years passed and I was still in Greece, I did not learn the language and I did not conduct my interview to be accepted, I was still up in the air and I did not know what to do. One day to an Old Iranian man, whose job was to handle refugees, I said “help me to leave this country”. But he asked me «what you are looking for in your life, think here is Germany»… what is next!» The old man said that if you do not find yourself first, even going to America is pointless. So, find yourself first, and then see where you can live. I thought a lot about what this old man said and I applied for a passport and was accepted, and now I am attending these classes and I just realized that many of life’s criteria that interest me a lot are in Greece.

Greece has an ancient and great history like my own country Iran and has noble and very kind people. I am trying to create a calm and pleasant life for myself in this country as soon as possible with the help of this institution and my effort and the experience I have already gained. I am very grateful to Mrs. Maria P., my teacher and I thank all those who do their best for our welfare and help the immigrants in this institution. Hopefully, one day all human beings will be together happy and away from war and bloodshed, as Cyrus the Great said in his great charter, everyone is equal, men and women. Let's live away from violence. Amen”.

Ahmad Askaryzadeh (kind participation)

“I am Ahmad Askaryzadeh and I come from Iran. I like the art of photography and video because through them I can record events to which I can somehow relate. I am passionate about doing activities, work, and of course sports, especially biking which I enjoy a lot. I do not like stress, fear, injustice, poverty and oppression. I believe people should carefully perceive human kindness and not be greedy or hoggish. I remember the difficult days full of melancholy and sorrow. I remember the pleasant and joyful days, the simple and recurrent ones filled with enthusiasm, unique and unrepeatable. I remember my childhood, when I used to be so absorbed in my toys, so passionate and excited that I wasn’t aware of time passing by. I wanted to grow up and grow up fast. Now, I am aware of the present, I watch time flying away like the wind and I cannot prevent it. I cannot slow it down. I feel nostalgic for my country, the streets and the alleys of my city. I feel nostalgic for my family, my siblings that are still in Iran. I feel nostalgic for my parents, who are now gone. I feel nostalgic for my old friendships in Iran. I feel nostalgic for the mountains, the plains. The streets I used to cycle on when I was younger. I want to record everything, the passage of time, friendships, animosities, happiness, violence, every emotion, positive or negative. I want to picture everything.

I have been living in Greece, in Athens, for sixteen years. Unfortunately, after all these years I do not feel safe or peaceful. I wish to everyone wherever they are, regardless of their title or position, to have a happy life, free from injustice and greed. People love what they see, what they hear, what they say, what they feel and sense. They will show the good and positive they have to others. They avoid bitter truth, they shut down towards it. Still, you cannot escape people’ s comments and gossip. So it is better for us to remain positive and improve ourselves constantly. Others may see who I am better than I can and through their clearer understanding of me they can help me to know myself better. So we should be open towards others and be good listeners”.

Amirhossein Banitaba

“I was observing the fences around here. I fell in love with them. I tried to take a photograph to show how it is to look from the other side of the fence. The image triggered a memory of the time I spent in the prison once during my migration. That time I was looking through the bars thinking that everything was nicer at the other side of the fence. However, when I came out of the prison there was no difference between the two sides of the fence. The worse prison in our life dwells within our mind. This is why I decided to take more photographs, to show life in either side”.

Iman Ram

“The countries always are like fathers and mothers. But if we take one step back, we can see that both me and you are fathers and mothers of the countries. Love your children with your acts don’t complain about them”.