Another Image of the Suffering of Iranians Goes Global

Once again, an image of the suffering of Iranians has gone global. One might feel joy that a talented Iranian photographer has once again brought honor to his compatriots by receiving the prestigious World Press Photo award, the most esteemed award in the field of news photography, or feel sorrow that this image, like last year's winning photo in the same competition, narrates the pain and suffering of a tormented nation that sheds tears during the burial of their loved ones. These loved ones, who lost their lives this year, just as last year, in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, are mourned by their survivors who bury them with great sorrow. Last year it was Qazvin, and this year it is Bam! Attaollah Taher Kenareh, a young photographer for the French news agency in Tehran, captured in his impactful work a Bam man carrying his apparently twin sons, who had just passed away, on his shoulders to bury them in the Behesht Zahra cemetery of Bam, which now has a population nearly double that of the destroyed city. The children were hanging from his shoulders, and many international photographers such as Karen Firooz (Reuters photographer), Mohammad Farnoud (Sipa Agency photographer), and others transmitted this horrific scene to the world. However, it must be acknowledged that although Taher Kenareh's photo is very close to those of his colleagues, it has indeed emerged as something different. As he himself states, the 'framing' and 'composition' of this photo are good, and it conveys a lot of 'emotional feeling' to the audience. Taher Kenareh himself spoke about the emotional depth of this photo to the Shargh newspaper: 'I walked a few steps behind the man. Then I broke down in tears. A few minutes later, I collected myself and went back to photography.' He submitted five pieces for this year's World Press Photo competition, which is the 47th edition of the event, and only that one winning photo was sent by the French news agency. He points out the significant role of France Press in the success of this work, saying, 'If I had only worked in Iranian newspapers, I could not have reached this award because one of their criteria for selecting a work is the extent to which the press uses the photo.' In any case, this photo, like last year's winning image at the World Press Photo competition, narrates the suffering of Iranians who are helpless against the wrath of nature and, of course, the existing mismanagements that trap them in pain and hardship, with one small difference: in last year's photo by Grigoryan, a Qazvini child was crying hard over his recently deceased father's grave, while in this year's image, a grieving father buries his defenseless two children. The World Press Photo competition, which started in 1955 in Amsterdam, operates with the support of Prince Bernard of the Netherlands and is held annually in categories such as portraits, general news, newsmakers, breaking news, arts, sports, nature and environment, science and technology, daily life, and children. It is hoped that in next year's competition, this institution will not have any more Iranian victims in its ranks. However, Iranian photographers will still be present!