Virtual Photo Exhibit Celebrates the Liberation of Khorramshahr: A Tribute to Resilience and Freedom

The online photo exhibition titled “14 Elegies” has officially launched on the Artibition website, commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the Liberation of Khorramshahr. This exhibition showcases the compelling works of renowned war and documentary photographer Alfred Yaghobzadeh, curated in collaboration with photographer Ramesh Lahiji, as reported by ILNA.

“An elegy, in the dictionary, refers to a combination of lament and grandeur, and sometimes even carries a musical undertone – much like the Liberation of Khorramshahr and the images from that time that place us on a fine line between the glory of resistance and freedom, and the sorrow of destruction left behind,” the statement for the exhibition reads.

The exhibition eloquently captures the essence of history through Yaghobzadeh’s powerful imagery. “At times, language fails to express the lived experiences of people during and after war, and in such moments, images carry the weight of documenting those experiences for history. That is why everything, rich in detail and carried along a silent rhythm, is captured in Alfred Yaghobzadeh’s works on the ‘Liberation of Khorramshahr,’ fulfilling the meaning of the word elegy,” it continued.

Many unforgettable images have emerged during the tumultuous days and pivotal moments of contemporary history, both in Iran and globally. However, the works stemming from the “Liberation of Khorramshahr,” due to their timing and the significant role this event plays in our history, are prominently featured in this exhibition.

About Alfred Yaghobzadeh

Born in Tehran to an Armenian-Assyrian family, Alfred Yaghobzadeh, 67, is renowned for his impactful war photography. His lens has captured some of the most significant political and historical moments both in Iran and worldwide. Notably, his photographs during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iran–Iraq War led to assignments with prestigious news agencies, including the Associated Press, Gamma, and Sygma.

Since 1983, he has been contributing to Sipa Press, and his work has appeared in esteemed publications such as Time, Newsweek, Stern, Paris Match, El País, and GEO.

Yaghobzadeh has covered numerous armed conflicts around the globe, including:

• Cuba
• Uzbekistan
• Afghanistan
• Somalia
• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• The Lebanese Civil War

His experiences are harrowing; he was wounded and taken hostage in Lebanon, injured by a tank shell in Chechnya, and sustained injuries while covering the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.

In addition to war photography, Yaghobzadeh explored the release of repressed Christianity in Eastern Europe after the fall of communism. This work was published as Christianity around the World, documenting religious rites and rituals in 24 countries over a decade.

Yaghobzadeh has authored three photo books: War Iran-Iraq, Faces of War, and Promised Peace. Throughout his career, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including:

• World Press Photo Award
• American Overseas Press Club Award
• Three Angers awards in France

Additionally, he has served as a judge at the World Press Photo contest on two occasions.

The Liberation of Khorramshahr

The Liberation of Khorramshahr refers to the Iranian recapture of the city on May 24, 1982, during the Iran–Iraq War. This city had fallen into Iraqi hands early in the conflict, on October 26, 1980, shortly after the invasion. The successful retaking of Khorramshahr was part of Iran’s Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas, which is regarded as a turning point in the war. The liberation is celebrated annually in Iran on May 24.

During the retaking of Khorramshahr, the Iranian forces captured approximately 19,000 soldiers from a now-demoralized Iraqi Army. The defeat left Saddam Hussein shocked and furious, particularly due to the Iranians’ resolve to continue their advance despite heavy casualties. In response to this setback, Hussein executed several of his top generals.

The “14 Elegies” online exhibition will be accessible on the Artibition website until June 2, providing a poignant reminder of a pivotal moment in Iranian history through the lens of Alfred Yaghobzadeh’s powerful photography.