In 2015, young men from Muslim regions of Russia - Chechnya and Dagestan began to leave for territories controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria searching for a better life, which recruiters promised them. In accordance with the Islamic traditions, their families had to follow them. These regions are very patriarchal and in accordance with social notions, girls must sacrifice their freedoms, even if they have an opinion different from that of their husbands.
The year 2017 was marked by campaigns to clear the Islamic State territories from illegal gangs. The young men were killed during bombings, whereas their wives with children on their hands received sentences ranging from 15 years to life. Some girls have gone missing and have not been in touch with their mothers for several years.
Back at home mothers are ready for anything to return their daughters and grandchildren home. Love, hope and sleepless nights - that is all they have. Mothers cling to whatever bits of information they can find about their daughters. They set up WhatsApp support groups to exchange information and comfort each other. Several years have passed since the disappearance of the daughters, but time does not heal. More than that, the old ladies face everyday discrimination – society consider their children as terrorists and talking about them is stigma.
Within the framework of the present story I project photographs of the missing ones onto the figures of their mothers and their surroundings showing that the war has no boundaries - it can affect people living miles away the conflict. I am also willing to display the strongest bond between relatives which cannot be destroyed by distance and time.
Chechnya, Dagestan (Russia, 2021)