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Exhibitions on Azerbaijan's mine problem held in Europe by NGOs-PHOTO

03 October 2025 11:05 (UTC +04:00)

A photo exhibition dedicated to landmine victims of Azerbaijan has been organized in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan told APA.

The exhibition was held within the framework of the project “The CulMINAtion Point of Danger,” implemented by the “Gilavar” Photo Club Public Union with the support of the State Support Agency for NGOs. The project’s partner in Belgium is the “Fireland” Azerbaijani Union.

Chairman of the “Gilavar” Photo Club Public Union, Rashad Mehdiyev, stated that this is the first time such a large-scale series of exhibitions on Azerbaijan’s landmine problem has been held through NGOs in Europe: “After Munich, Nuremberg, and Paris, the photos we are now presenting in Brussels can be called ‘talking pictures.’ They are the stories of people who became victims of landmines planted by Armenia in Azerbaijani lands. We will not remain silent. The time has come — the military-political leadership of Armenia must now be held accountable for this cruelty against civilians during the 30-year occupation. Our message from Brussels, considered the capital of the European Union, is for the sake of justice.”

The photo of landmine victim Elmir Bagirov at the exhibition bears the inscription: “Would a person step on an anti-tank mine in their own land? It is hard to imagine, but I survived. I was not yet 18 years old. Since that day, my life has been full of suffering. I lost my youth and both of my legs.” The photo of another landmine victim, Samir Alizadeh, who lost both legs and one eye, invites viewers to understand the feelings he went through: “One step, two explosions… You tell the rest...” The experiences of Rahim Qarashov, who lost his leg stepping on stacked mines, represent another tragedy: “What were they trying to do by stacking mines on top of each other? Why such cruelty? While saving my colleague from a mine trap, I became a victim myself.”

Visitors also gained additional information about Azerbaijan’s landmine problem through QR codes on the photos.

The “Gilavar” Photo Club Public Union plans to continue this exhibition across Europe.