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A new Instagram reel by KOLOKOCHIK offers a moving glimpse into “They Say We Have to Leave,” a powerful documentary installation by director Varsy Buchmann that chronicles the forced displacement of the women of Artsakh. The video features an interview with Buchmann and the heart-wrenching testimony of one of the 120 women featured in the project, creating a poignant narrative of loss, memory, and resilience.
“This is a documentary installation on the theme of the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh,” Buchmann states plainly at the start of the reel. She emphasizes that the project is a call to action for the global Armenian community. “I would really like all Armenians, who work in absolutely different fields, to do something small for Artsakh,” she urges.
For Buchmann, the core mission of the project is to fight against the erasure of history. “What is most important for me is that… whether it’s an Armenian or a foreign viewer, they do not forget the story of Artsakh,” she explains. “We cannot solve political issues, but we can decide not to forget.”
The emotional weight of this history is brought to life through the powerful words of one of the installation’s participants. She recounts the painful days leading up to the exodus: “After 2020, we always knew that the day of war would come, and we were always waiting.” Her testimony paints a vivid picture of the impossible choices families had to make. “My mom always kept our most important things and all of our documents in a small bag,” she shares. “I remember in 2020, my dad was showing my mom how to use a pistol.”
These personal stories of trauma and preparation are contrasted with the quiet strength of the women. One participant recounts the experience of seeing the exhibition for the first time, noting that while the women are presented as fragile and gentle beings, “when a difficult, harsh situation arises, women always clench their fists and are able to get out of that situation, overcoming it all with a strength worthy of a man.”
“They Say We Have to Leave” is not just a documentation of events, but a deeply personal and emotional journey. It serves as a testament to the strength of the women of Artsakh and a powerful reminder that their stories must be told, shared, and never forgotten.
