Metamorphoses in Modern Life – Tajikistan (Part 26)

Emblem transpозиция by Nigina Kanunova

“A first impression cannot be made twice” – these words came to mind unexpectedly when I thought about the life that I live today. It seems that I have not changed; it seems to me I have not lost the ability to admire the arts and nature, human kindness and love, human decency, poetry and music. I am still open and hospitable to those I love, still ready to help anyone I can; I protest against and categorically reject human cruelty and violence, ignorance and greed…

All of the above indicates that I am a human being in any situation because it is so important not to lose yourself in this whirl. For some reason, more and more often I come back to my native city. I remember a lot from that life, a lot … There was everything in it: a joyful thrill and agonizing grief, loss and hope … But the amazing thing is that everything was clear enough for me in that life.

Khorog, Tajikistan – Together – Nowak Lukasz

It was a life filled with coziness and kindness: I was a little girl and lived in a warm sunny city, green and touching in its cordiality, which was noted by many of those who visited it.

In the reality of the present day, my native city is almost “uprooted” beyond recognition… but not from my memories and heart.

When demolishing old buildings, such as museums and theatres, when we cut the old trees, instead of preserving them and thinking of our health, we demolish our historical and cultural values, we destroy our life and that of future generations.

Khorog, Tajikistan – Alone – Michal Knitl

Construction is probably one of the most profitable businesses, but as the Native American saying goes: “When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.” From a business point of view, don’t we need a sense of permanency? Isn’t it important from a commercial perspective?

I have been watching the picture of uncertainty in our life every day, some kind of incomprehensible and brutal disarray, when people in search of work leave their native places, when children do not study for knowledge, when those who teach often do not meet the requirements for a school or university, when the teachers are being paid a pittance. When parents face the dilemma of what to spend money on: the child? food? apartment costs? education? medical services?

If we are so rich to destroy our history and culture, probably we have enough resources for strengthening the health and education sectors?

Ishkoshim, Tajikistan – Preparing meal – Michal Knitl

We say, free medicine and education, but it is only in words, not in deeds. Therefore, it turns out that people live as they can. Somewhere I read that: “The best thing you can do for people is to teach them to help themselves.” I see that people are gradually beginning to live by these words: No one has taught them, and life itself has made them take care of themselves.

I flip through my everyday life: past and present, and I see how much we have lost and how much we have found today. Simply a transitional stage, which is a very complex phenomenon where we continue to select, choose, reject and be aware of something necessary and positive from our past life. I see a change in loved ones, in neighbors, in strangers. It is a change in everything – in views on the usual things, necessities of life, attitudes toward each other.

Khorog, Tajikistan – On the road – Michal Knitl

I can see the formation of a new society, which is more pragmatic and often cold and indifferent to each other. I see other faces, new faces, and I have something to compare them with because I remember the people who once lived in my city. I remember them because of the quality of their memory or because we had different values in life: They had a different perception of the world around them; they taught me to respect our history and roots.

We are often resistant to change because we cannot know what change can bring us. Some changes bring new opportunities and open up new vistas, but other changes bring pain and disappointment.

How I wish the first impression of us were positive and forever. In order to rule out all inconsistencies and problems, all the uncertainties and instability. How I wish people would learn to smile with all their heart; how I wish we could be kinder to each other; appreciate each other and everything that surrounds us; how I wish we could learn to respect Earth and our nature.

Khujand, Tajikistan – Embroidering together – Nickolay Vinokurov

How I hope people will cherish and appreciate the time we give to each other… the time that is impossible to get back or stop; how I hope we can understand that the true happiness of life is in love. The love of our beloved ones and friends, those who passed away, those who struggled for world peace. Love is respect for history no matter whether we like or accept it.

I love reading; one of the best books that is always in my mind is The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint Exupery. It is a must read for everybody, I am convinced of it. This fabulous book teaches us to love the journey of life.

“For me you are only a little boy just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you have no need of me, either. For you I’m only a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me we’ll need each other. You’ll be the only boy in the world for me and I’ll be the only fox in the world for you.”

Karakul, Tajikistan – Having fun – Milosz Maslanka

Think, happiness is a moment that you cannot catch. If you look carefully, we unfortunately do not pay attention to many special moments. Happiness consists in kindheartedness, responsiveness, and understanding the value of human life.

To my mind, true happiness is within us; it comes from small things. But in the pursuit of material benefits, we forget to live. We are on planet Earth to live, so let us live! Happiness is in the smell of rain and the sounds of water; it comes from autumn colors and reading books; it comes from tasty food and beautiful music or movies, but what is most important, it comes from people. If you are lucky to find true love, this is a miracle; cherish, enjoy moments with people you love.

Murghab, Tajikistan – Into town – Nowak Lukasz

In conclusion, I would like to cite a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Life is a journey, but this journey is too short and you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. You cannot change people you meet; you cannot peddle your ideas or vision of the universe. Sometimes disappointment in people can drain your soul, steal your heart; often social burdens drive us crazy, but do not give up, stop for a while and think about who you are: What is your true destination? What is your purpose? What is your dream? If you are able to answer all those questions, you will be better off. Follow your dream!

Nigina Kanunova

Credits

Photo 1: Bulunkul, Tajikistan – In the valley – Nowak Lukasz

Photo 2: Khorog, Tajikistan – Together – Nowak Lukasz

Photo 3: Khorog, Tajikistan – Alone – Michal Knitl

Photo 4: Ishkoshim, Tajikistan – Preparing meal – Michal Knitl

Photo 5: Khorog, Tajikistan – On the road – Michal Knitl

Photo 6: Khujand, Tajikistan – Embroidering together – Nickolay Vinokurov

Photo 7: Karakul, Tajikistan – Having fun – Milosz Maslanka

Photo 8: Murghab, Tajikistan – Into town – Nowak Lukasz

Locations

Real: Postcard emblems in The Codex of Uncertainty Transposed and The Anthology of Global Instability Transposed on display at 1080