Untold Stories

28/03/2026

Women carry the light.

25/03/2026

Nowruz, Kurdistan, 2026

25/03/2026

Nowruz, 2026

25/03/2026

Nowruz marks the beginning of spring for the Kurdish people, but it is also a powerful symbol of renewal. In Kurdish tradition, it refers to the legend of Kawa - the blacksmith who defeated the tyrant Zahhak and lit a fire as a sign of freedom. That is why the flames in Akre are more than a ritual - they are a statement of memory, resistance, and hope.

For many years, Nowruz was banned or tightly controlled, yet it endured - passed down from generation to generation. Today, it is not only a celebration of spring. It is something much deeper: an affirmation of identity, community, and the right to exist.

Despite the current situation in the region and the shelling of targets within Kurdistan, the celebrations have not been stopped. “We celebrated when ISIS was at our doorstep, we celebrated under Saddam, despite persecution and exter*ination - and we will celebrate today as well.”

25/03/2026

Polish combat medics from have been saving wounded soldiers on the Ukrainian front since 2014, often risking their own lives. I had the honour of meeting them in Ukraine and training under their guidance during a HEAT course.

War does not reveal only the worst in humanity — it can also bring out the very best. From my perspective, the work of medics who voluntarily fight to save human lives, often just a few dozen kilometres from Russian positions, represents one of the noblest forms of service. It is a level of dedication I aspire to in my own life.

25/03/2026

25/03/2026