Immortal Names by Zahraa Al Hassani

Captured at the Al Shaheed Monument in Baghdad, this poignant photograph honors the memory of Iraqi soldiers who perished in the Iran-Iraq war. The photographer focuses on the intricate, enduring carvings of names etched into the monument’s walls, transforming cold stone into a testament of immortality. By utilizing a shallow depth of field, the image isolates specific inscriptions, drawing the viewer into a quiet, reflective space. This work is award-worthy for its profound emotional resonance and its ability to elevate a historical site into a powerful visual narrative about loss, legacy, and the persistence of memory.