Behind the Barriers

Nare Arushanyan

photography ⋅ issue 2

Canon EOS 4000D

If someone were to ask me, “What does the blockade look like to you?” I’d show them this picture from Rosa’s house. Rosa was one of the elders we helped during the blockade, delivering bread and other essentials whenever we could. She was almost 90 when I met her, yet her positivity and strength stood out despite the overwhelming loneliness she faced. With her family far away, unable to care for her, Rosa’s only companion was her neighbor. The isolation was heavy, but she never let go of her hope.Her greatest wish was to stay in her homeland, to see it flourish again. But with the war, that dream faded, leaving behind a silence that feels as heavy as the unanswered question of her future.

About the Artist

I’m Nare Arushanyan, a young documentary photographer and storyteller passionate about capturing the realities and resilience of people and communities, particularly in Artsakh and Armenia. With a deep connection to my cultural roots, I focus on telling the untold stories of my community through photography. My work aims to inspire change by raising the voices of those often unheard, sharing their emotions and experiences on a global stage, and raising awareness of the struggles and strength that define them.