Seval Kilic
Photography
Documentary
Portraits
Travelogue
Autonome
They Do Not Speak Our Language
This project begins with the gradual disappearance of village life in Qawuman, a small village in eastern Turkey with which my family has been connected for several generations. Over the past decades, the majority of its former inhabitants have moved to cities in search of new economic and social opportunities. Through They Do Not Speak Our Language, I explore what remains as communities gradually grow smaller. At the same time, the project explores the memories associated with this place and the cultural changes brought about by the departure of so many of its inhabitants.
An important aspect of this project is shaped by political and social circumstances that have contributed to the loss of culture and language. For this reason, I use photography, not only to document what still exists, but also to make visible what is at risk of disappearing.