My bella Antiochia

My beautiful Antiochian region, you are recovering as best you can from the seismic disasters suffered from February 6, 2023 that disfigured you, your miraculous survivors mourn their dead and willy-nilly continue their existence.

On the second anniversary of the earthquakes that wiped out the Antioch region in southern Turkey from February 6, 2023, this photo exhibition shows the contrast between past and present. Today, the city is nothing but ruins, mud and dust. Part of the population has left, while those who have remained survive as best they can, in containers.

Witnesses to an unprecedented disaster, these few photos illustrate the complexity of this region. The destruction leaves gaping wounds and gives way to difficulties for the survivors who have chosen to remain living there, with remarkable resilience.

This selection of photos reflects only a tiny fraction of the changes undergone since February 2023, but nonetheless remains representative of what we see: the destruction of entire neighborhoods, blocked roads, container cities, rebuilding in places.

Although spared more than the urban dwellers, the villagers have lost their homes, built with great sacrifice, and most are condemned to remain in their containers as they have no financial means to rebuild.

Among other things, this exhibition helps us to remember this region. It is dedicated to the people who struggle every day to continue to live with as much dignity as possible.

Exhibition organized by Suat Istanbullu (suat.istanbullu@inalco.fr)