120,000 FATES
120 FACES
1 Story

They Say We Have to Leave is an immersive documentary installation dedicated to preserving and sharing the lived experiences of Artsakh’s displaced Armenian community. In the wake of the 2023 ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, over 120,000 people were forced to abandon their homes—leaving behind not only their possessions and places, but also their histories, dreams, and sense of belonging.

Central to the installation is an endless loop of portraits depicting 120 Artsakh women, spanning generations from young girls to grandmothers. Through their faces and stories, the installation creates a space where visitors can engage with the realities of loss, resilience, and identity. Each element, from first-person testimonies to evocative soundscapes and visual storytelling, is designed to honor narratives that might otherwise be silenced or forgotten.

By inviting audiences to bear witness, this project stands as a living archive of memory and a call to collective responsibility. It challenges viewers to confront the consequences of displacement, to reflect on the power of remembrance, and to recognize the importance of solidarity in the face of injustice. They Say We Have to Leave is not only about documenting tragedy—it is about sustaining hope, dignity, and the right to be remembered. Through this work, and through the unbroken gaze of 120 Artsakh women, we strive to ensure that the voices of Artsakh continue to resonate, urging us all to remember and to act.