Çavên — meaning “eyes” in Kurdish — is a step closer to the reality of those whose lives are repeatedly mis-portrayed on television. Not a narrative. A presence.

For over a month, I was made welcome in three camps in Iraqi Kurdistan — by Iraqi, Syrian and Iranian hosts, Muslim and Christian, Arab and Kurdish, refugee and displaced. Ethnicities, religions, labels. And yet always two eyes.

Generations shaped by conflict and division remain, despite everything, performers of the same common dreams: a better future, a decent job, peace.

Now it’s time for a new chapter.

Çavên — meaning ‘eyes’ in Kurdish — is a non-narrative step closer to the reality of those whose lives are repeatedly mis-portrayed on TV.

For over a month, it was my privilege to have been made welcome in three camps, as if an old friend, by Iraqi, Syrian and Iranian, Muslim and Christian, Arab and Kurdish, refugee and IDP hosts.
Ethnicities, religions, labels.
And yet always two eyes.
Generations enslaved by conflict and divisions are nevertheless ceaseless performers of our communal dreams: a better future, a decent job, peace.

A thank you that has grown longer than expected.

To Un Ponte Per, for supporting this mission without hesitation, more than once, and for protecting us when others tried to obstruct the work.

To the teams in Erbil, Sulaymaniah and Barika — staff, coordinators, fixers, interpreters, and the people who made space for a stranger as if he were already known. To Jamil, for his honesty in long evenings spent talking about war, peace and religion. To Federico, for being a reliable and curious travel companion through difficult conditions. To Teddy, Cecilia, Stefano and Simone — the next chapter starts here.