During the Iran-Iraq war, a center called Martyrs' Ascension Headquarters was established to identify the victims of the war. Anonymous victims who were not identified in the provinces were sent to the headquarters to make the identification in Tehran. After the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 598, which marked the end of the war, a group was sent by the Iranian government to the war-stricken areas to search for and find the missing. Searching for body parts of the soldiers has been in progress for many years and in various places in the south and west of Iran and abroad in Iraq and has continued until today. In the Ascension Headquarters of Tehran Martyrs, the body parts of many of the war victims are being delivered to their families after 30 years, and they are buried in different parts of Iran. Later, with the start of the Syrian civil war and Iran's military presence there, this place remained a place for families to hand over the bodies of those killed in the Syrian war, and now for years, the stories of the war in this country have no end.

Soldiers Coming Home

A heavy silence envelops those who encounter these figures. Unlike the typical joy that dolls evoke, these bear a weight of sadness that transcends their inanimate forms. They serve as tangible reminders of a dark era.

A dismal chapter in Canadian history emerged with the establishment of the residential school system.

Beginning in the late 19th century and continuing into the 20th century, 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and sent to these schools. The goal was to assimilate them into Euro-Canadian culture and eradicate Indigenous languages, traditions, and beliefs.

The conditions in these schools were often harsh and abusive. Children suffered from neglect, starvation, physical and emotional abuse, and cultural suppression. This led to the tragic deaths of thousands of children Indigenous children. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has documented the deaths of over 4,000 Indigenous children, but the actual number could be higher. The exact number of children who died in residential schools remains unclear, as many deaths went unreported or were under-documented.

A heartfelt way to remember this history has emerged in Canada in recent years. After discovering unmarked graves at former residential school sites, people have begun attaching stuffed animals to stretches of fence posts to expose the deep suffering of Indigenous children in the residential school system.

The resonance of this symbolic movement has stirred profound emotions within me. Moved by the power of these visual markers, I have begun documenting them. These silent figures speak of the suffering endured by these children and remind the laughter, melodies, and dreams that will never come to life. They are a poignant expression of the dire consequences of discrimination, oppression, abuse of power, and harmful ideologies.

Silent Tribute

The Calgary Marathon has a rich history that dates back to its inaugural race in 1963. Originally known as the "Calgary Road Runners Marathon," the event was organized by the Calgary Roadrunners Club and featured a modest number of participants. Over the years, the marathon grew in popularity and stature, attracting runners from across Canada and worldwide.
In addition to the main marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres, the Calgary Marathon offers various race categories, including a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a kids' race, ensuring that participants of all ages and abilities can participate in the festivities.
Today, the Calgary Marathon continues to hold its place as one of the premier marathons in North America. It attracts thousands of local and international participants who come together to celebrate the joy of running, challenge their limits, and create lasting memories.
On the 28th of May, 2023, I had the privilege of capturing countless moments during the Calgary Marathon, and I look forward to documenting this incredible event year after year. The pictures on this page will be updated over time.

Amir Salehi

Amir Salehi

Calgary Marathon