Photographers Without Borders

Recent geopolitical events have highlighted the importance of cooperation and understanding between countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Yet despite historically close military and economic ties between Azerbaijan and Georgia, cultural misunderstandings prevail between the two neighboring countries. These misunderstandings are underscored by a lack of joint initiatives and cooperation agreements between Azerbaijani and Georgian border populations. Over time, such distancing can lead to stereotypes and discrimination, which may strain cooperation between the two nations.

To help improve cross-cultural communication and understanding, The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) supported the Shaki-based Uluchay Social-Economic Innovation Center on its Photographers Without Borders program.

“The main goal of the project was to increase joint cooperation, initiatives, intercultural exchange, and communication,” said Mehriban Rahimli, advocacy advisor at BST. “[This was achieved] by increasing the awareness of local population from Azerbaijan and Georgia on stereotypes and challenges of cross-border cooperation through arts and media coverage.”

The program involved the recruitment of 20 project participants from Azerbaijani and Georgian border regions. After the participants were chosen, they were invited on a two-day training session in Patardzeuli, Georgia, that covered technical aspects of photography and cross-border cooperation.

Following the completion of their training, participants embarked on a four-day field visit to border regions to photograph residents and document their daily lives. This was followed by a two-day training session on stereotypes and tolerance, including an exchange of experiences on their field visits.

“I knew a lot of Azerbaijanis living in Georgia, and there were definitely some stereotypes related to them,” said Sandro Gogiashvili, a participant from Georgia. “The common training sessions both in Patardzeuli and Sheki helped me discover Azerbaijan and people living there and reconciled stereotypes related to our neighbors.”

At the end of the program, 40 photos taken by participants were evaluated by a jury of project staff and trainers. BST created an open Facebook group in order to share photos with the public. The project ended with a conference on Azerbaijan-Georgia relations featuring the exhibition of photos selected by the jury. Two winners from each country were awarded prizes by the jury for their photos.

“Through photos taken in rural bordering regions, photographers had a chance to show their problems and positive aspects to wider public within the organized exhibitions,” said Ilyas Safarli, executive director of the Uluchay Social-Economic Innovation Center.

The end result was to foster an environment where young people from two bordering countries could interact and discuss existing stereotypes and possible ways to address these attitudes. The networking continued with the cooperation between participants of two countries, including shared photo sessions.

“There were several partnerships created among participants, including several photo shoots in Georgia with participation of Azerbaijani photographers,” said Safarli. “[There was a] recent organized visit of representatives of Georgian Photography Association to Azerbaijan to meet their colleagues and create future partnerships as well.”

The participants were also enthusiastic about their experiences.

“The project gave me a lot of information on how to fight against stereotypes that we have related to the other nation and also created opportunity for new relations and networking with young photographers from Georgia,” said Ruslan Mammadov, a participant from Azerbaijan. “I believe that such projects should be continued so that more young people like me will have a chance to get our neighbors better.” 

To view the photos participants took during the program click here.