Blooming in The Black Garden | Blooming Generation #1

Blooming in The Black Garden | Blooming Generation #1

The University of Stepanakert is where,  in 1988,  the independence movement leading to the Karabakh’s declaration of independence began after a long-lasting war. Karabakh (black garden in Persian) is an independent but unrecognized state,  at war with Azerbaijan over territorial claims. Blooming in the Black Garden is a project that,  on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of independence,  portrays the stories of young people born after the de facto independence,  who search for a national identity,  torn between a sense of pride of Karabakh and Armenian belonging. A country where the wounds of war in the territory and in the spirit are still visible,  where people still fall victim to the countless landmines hidden in the ground,  where in the capital city,  Stepanakert,  which is only a few kilometers from the front line,  sons,  brothers and husbands are still fighting for sovereignty and where mothers,  sisters and wives live suspended between hope,  fear and longing for a normal future. From schools to sports fields,  from military academies to art institutions,  the youth of Karabakh dream of a different future,  aware that their generation will build the foundation for international recognition.

by Karl Mancini, Gianmarco Maraviglia

The University of Stepanakert is where,  in 1988,  the independence movement leading to the Karabakh’s declaration of independence began after a long-lasting war. Karabakh (black garden in Persian) is an independent but unrecognized state,  at war with Azerbaijan over territorial claims. Blooming in the Black Garden is a project that,  on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of independence,  portrays the stories of young people born after the de facto independence,  who search for a national identity,  torn between a sense of pride of Karabakh and Armenian belonging. A country where the wounds of war in the territory and in the spirit are still visible,  where people still fall victim to the countless landmines hidden in the ground,  where in the capital city,  Stepanakert,  which is only a few kilometers from the front line,  sons,  brothers and husbands are still fighting for sovereignty and where mothers,  sisters and wives live suspended between hope,  fear and longing for a normal future. From schools to sports fields,  from military academies to art institutions,  the youth of Karabakh dream of a different future,  aware that their generation will build the foundation for international recognition.

Stepanakert, NKR. Children from a local private school visiting Tatik & Papik monoument, known also as "we Are Our Mountains", that represent the Armenian heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh. Madagis village, Martakert region,NKR. Artsakh Sargsyan and his wife Hripsime Aslanyan. They have 3 children (2 twins). She works in the local municipality office but now she is on maternity leave. He is a professional military officer. Stepanakert, NKR. Maternity Hospital. Dr Edward Gharamanyan, gynaecologist, visiting a woman close to giving birth. To increase the population growth the state gives several concessionsto large families, arriving to give a home to families with 4 children. Stepanakert, NKR. A woman just gave birth at the maternity hospital. To increase the population growth the state gives several concessions to large families arriving to give an home to families with 4 children Stepanakert, NKR. Students outside Artsak State Univerity. Being an unrecognized country, graduation has value only in NKR and Armenia Stepanakert, NKR. Aper  Armanovich is a member of guard of honor of Karabakh NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. An UXO bomb in the middle of a field. Most of the bombs, landimes and armies used during the war are produced mainly in Israel, Russia, Italy or Turkey. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and Stepanakert, NKR. inside the Secondary school number 7 Yenghishe Charents there's also a class where students can learn to use a rifle and have military teachings. Stepanakert, NKR. Military-sports gymnasium Khristofor Ivanyan. The Military Academy is a school for boys aged 13-14 years, which is equivalent to a normal college. Often it's the families that address the children to military trials. For all male citizens of the NKR military service it is compulsory at 18 and lasts two years. Stepanakert, NKR. Young soldiers during the first triple anniversary celebrations sfter the war events of april 2016. Every May,9 in Karabakh people celebrate the liberation of the city of Shushi during the first war against Azerbaijan, the formation of the Karabakhian army and the victory in the second world war. Stepanakert, NKR. Children and teen agers carry a flag 300 meters long in occasion of the demonstration of every 9th of may that celebrate a triple anniversary for Karabakhian people:  the liberation of the city of Shushi that ends the first war against Azerbaijan, the celebration of the creation of the Karabakhian army and the victory of the second world war. It is a very important date for Karabakh. All the people come from all over the country in Stepanakert and walk screaming polital and patriotic Stepanakert, NKR. Two young girls walking in the street of the city. Shushi, NKR. Liberal Arts College Arsen Khachatryan. Yuri Adamyan, 18 years old. He dreams to become a singer. He daily take vocal lessons from his teacher Sasoun Poghosyan, 36years old. Shushi, NKR. Shushi Liberal Arts College Arsen Khachatryan. Larisa davtyan, reflecting in the mirror during a painting lesson. Shushi, NKR. Shushi Liberal Arts College Arsen Khachatryan. Tigran Khachatryan 17 yrs, posing as a model for the portrait lesson. Talish,Martakert Region. NKR. Marieta Khachatryan, born in 1957. Talish village is located in the north of Martakert region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and is the closest  to the frontline with Azerbaijan. Situation on the border is tense, there are frequent skirmishes. But people got used to it and keep on living with their daily concerns. "we only want peace and no more shootings - said Marieta - we want more young people in the village, if there are no shooting people reamain here and find a job" Madagis village, Martakert region,NKR. Suren Grigoryan's nephews are playing on a swing in the backyard of their granfather's house. "The population is growing and we don't have enough space for children like kindergardens or schools". Shushi, NKR. Inside an heavy damaged building in the citycenter. Shushi has been theatre of very heavy fights in 1992 and the conquer of the town by the Armenian forces has been a turning point for the fate of the war since Shushi was the stronghold from where the Azere seized Stepanakert. Stepanakert, NKR. Artsakh state university. A group of female students are checking the lessons timetable during a break. Being an unrecognized country, graduation has value only in NKR and Armenia. Stepanakert, NKR. Suzanna Arushanova, registration and info desk employ at TUMO. The Tumo Center for Creative Technologies) is a free of charge digital media learning center. Since its opening, the center has provided thousands of students aged 12–18 an open environment where they can use the latest in digital tools, learn from media professionals, and explore the intersection of technology and art.[1]
Tumo is a non-profit venture founded by Sam and Sylva Simonian who fully fund its educational program Stepanakert, NKR. Outside a school in city center. The car is a typical Lada-Vaz Žiguli Madagis Village, Martakert region. NKR. In the house of Avanesyan family, 6 kids. They fled Azerbaijan in 1988 at the beginnig of the rising tensions. "each armenian must live in his father Land/Ethnical area" Stepanakert, NKR. Secondary school number 1, Khachatur Aboyan. Student during the sport lesson. Stepanakert, NKR. Artsakh State University. Anna Sargsyan, 19 years old during the reharsals of a musical organized on occasion of the international women's day. Talish,Martakert Region. NKR. Spartak Khachatryan lays in bed since he's disable due to an explosion during the war in the 90's. Talish village is located in the north of Martakert region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and is the closest  to the frontline with Azerbaijan. Situation on the border is tense, there are frequent skirmishes. But people got used to it and keep on living with their daily concerns. Stepanakert, NKR. City stadium. During a friendly match between the Lernayin Artsakh Football club and its youth team. In the NKR League there are 10 teams and the national footbal team plays in the international championship of unrecognized countries. Stepanakert, NKR. Artsakh state university. Lika Zaqaryan studies Political science. She is first dancer of the university ballet group. In her spare time she works as a volunteer in the Lady Cox rehabilitation center with the victims of landmines NKR frontline with Azerbaijan, Agdam area. Soldiers in the trench. Along th econtact line ,the closest point between the two armies is just 25 meters and the skirmishes are are increasing. Madagis Village, Martakert region. NKR. Roads to the vilages are in bad conditions and the cars need to be fixed frequentely. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Barbed wires are use to alarm in case of an Azeri saboteurs entry. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the army after the war events are very young. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Erik Tovmasyants, 19 portraited in a thistle field along the frontline. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the army after the war events are very young. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Young soldiers daily life's inside the trenches. Arayik Khachatryan, 19,
Davit Hakobjanyan, 19,
Hayk Melqumyan, 19,
Grisha Barseghyan, 20,
Edgar Prikyan, 19 and Vahe Mkrtchyan, 19 during a break of the fightings. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. A tank hided in the trenches. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the army after the war events are very young. Tsaghkashen, Martakert region, NKR. A village located close  the biggest gold mines of the country. Most of its citizens work there. Tatevik and Shoushan are two sisters. one wants to become a teacher to educate the children and the other wants to become a doctor. Both of them don't want to leave their village Madagis village, Martakert region,NKR. Stepan Avanesyan with his wife Astghik and their 6 children Narine (12), Bagrat (9), Janna (8), Tigran (6), Hellen (4), Mane (1). 4 of them go to the village's school, 2 in the kindergarden and 1 stays at home. Stepan is an history teacher in the village's school. They fleed Azerbaijan in 1988 at the beginning of the rising tensions. "Each Armenian must live in his fatherland / ethnical area". Stepanakert, NKR. Two young mums and a new born in the maternity hospital Stepanakert, NKR. Wounded soldiers recovered in the military hospital of Stepanakert. Sasun Kazaryan, 20 is a professional soldiers while Njdeh Madoyan, 25 is a volunteer who joined the army after the clashes of the first days of april, 2016. Both  were shooted by the Azeri army after the 4days war in which 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Two among Sasun's best friends were killed in those days. In the hospital daily arrive injured from the frontline. Most Stepanakert, NKR. A young wounded soldier recovered in the military hospital of Stepanakert stands on the door of his room.  He  was shooted to his left leg by the Azeri army during the 4days war in which 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded.  In the hospital daily arrive injured from the frontline. Most of all are very young. Shushi, NKR. Citycenter. Shushi has been theatre of very heavy fights in 1992 and the conquer of the town by the Armenian forces has been a turning point for the fate of the war since Shushi was the stronghold from where the Azere seized Stepanakert. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Young soldiers daily life's inside the trenches. View from inside a military vehicle of a soldier who is resting after an hard turn of guard in the trenches. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Young soldiers daily life's inside the trenches. Davit Vardanyan, 20, portraited in the trenches during his turn of guard. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Young soldiers daily life's inside the trenches. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the army after the war events are very young. NKR frontline with Azerbaijan, Agdam area. AK47 and the NKR Defense Army shoulder Inisignia. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Agdam area. A sniper looking for a target on the enemy lines. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 25 meters and the skirmishes are increasing. Stepanakert, NKR. Artsak State Univerity. Group of students during a break. Being an unrecognized country, graduation has value only in NKR and Armenia Shushi, NKR. Liberal Arts College Arsen Khachatryan. Larisa Davtyan and some students during their daily painting lesson. Marina Vardanyan, 30 years old, teacher of traditional music during her lesson with Erica Sargsyan (16),
Larisa Zakaryan (14) and Knar Avanesyan (15). Stepanakert, NKR.  Members of Guard of Honor of NKR Army during the Sungait victims annual commemoration. The Sumgait pogrom  was a pogrom that targeted the Armenian population of the seaside town of Sumgait in Soviet Azerbaijan in late February 1988. The pogrom took place during the early stages of the Karabakh movement. On February 27, 1988, mobs made up largely of ethnic Azerbaijanis formed into groups and attacked and killed Armenians on the streets and in their apartments; widespread looting and a Stepanakert, NKR. City Stadium. Training of the youth local team. Stepanakert, NKR. Part of a dance class of the Karabakhian College of dancing arts during a break of an exhibition at Charles Aznavour center of Stepanakert. After the 4 days war most of the art exhibitions are connected with ceremonies or memorial anniversaries Martakert Region, NKR. Narek Arakeryan, born in 1978. He works for the Halo Trust in the landmines removal team. Landmines were used extensively during the 1992–1994 war, as were large amounts of cluster munitions and other explosive ordnance. Since the war ended in 1994, 328 people have been killed or maimed by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). The minefields and cluster bomb contamination continue to inhibit development and infrastructure projects, leaving farmers unable to cultivate large areas of Talish, NKR. What remains of a class  of the school of the village. Talish is the closest village to the north frontline with Azerbaijan. On the night of apr,2 Azeri soldiers startered bombing the village and entered in some houses killing civilians. People were evacuated to Stepanakert and today in the village there are only militaries. Talish, NKR. What remains of a pool room in the ceremony hall of the village. Talish is the closest village to the north frontline with Azerbaijan. On the night of apr,2 Azeri soldiers startered bombing the village and entered in some houses killing civilians. People were evacuated to Stepanakert and today in the village there are only militaries. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Young soldiers daily life's inside the trenches. Gharib Budaghyan portraited in the trenches during his turn of guard. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. Young soldiers daily life's inside the trenches. A group of soldiers portraited in a moment of rest in the base camp inside the trenches. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Agdam area. A soldier is walking into the trenches. Cans and barbed wires are use to alarm in case of an Azeri saboteurs entry. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 25 meters and the skirmishes are increasing. Stepanakert, NKR. A night view in the city center. There is only one night club in the city. Most of the young people prefer to meet in the houses or have dinner at the restaurant. Late night streets are quite desert. Stepanakert, NKR. Anna Mnatsakanyan dance in the Stendhal Club, the only place open til late night in the capital. Most of the young people prefer meet in the houses or have dinner at the restaurant. Madagis Village, Martakert region. NKR. Ziguli in front of an armenian flag painted on a rock at the entrance of the village. NKR Frontline with Azerbaijan, Hadrut region. A Young soldier is walking on a field on the frontline during a break of the fightings. Along the contact line, the closest point between the two armies is just 200 meters. During the 4 days war 85 Armenian-Karabakhian soldiers were killed and more than 300 were wounded. Despite the ceasefire, the clashes still continuing and there are injured or killed soldiers almost daily. All the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the army after the war events are very Stepanakert, NKR.  Two new born in the maternity hospital.