Aleppo War Photographs, 2012–14

Abstract

A rooftop overview of the old quarters of Aleppo, including the citadel at the top. This and the photographs that follow were taken in the old quarters between late 2012 and early 2014, by the Aleppo-born and resident photographer Hagop Vanesian. Vanesian had a story to tell for each of hundreds of images he captured during the 18 months he spent among the residents in the government-controlled part of the Old City, bordering what he termed the “militant”-controlled territories. The photographs were taken prior to the subsequent complete destruction of the buildings of the Old City surrounding the citadel of Aleppo (see figure 11.1 ). Fearing for his safety, Vanesian was dismayed at not being able to cross over to the eastern side of the old city to capture people’s suffering there, as a few of his relatives had crossed over to inspect their properties in the industrial quarter, but never returned. To protect the privacy of the subjects, the author was unable to show the many faces that appeared in similar photos.