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© Victòria Rovira Casanovas

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DUNKERQUE REFUGEES CAMP

DUNKERQUE REFUGEES CAMP

Dunkerque, north of France. 2016

A few kilometers from the center of Dunkerque, north of France, stands one of the refugee camps of Grande Synthe, better known as “Jungle” where most people come from Kurdistan – Iraq. Currently (May 2016) it receives 1500 refugees.

Baxtyar. S, a young Kurdish under twenty-four, asks me not to reveal his age by legal issues in his country of origin. Three months ago he slept in the camp together with five other companions, also Kurds, where they arrived impelled by the same circumstances. Now his home is a small wooden tent built by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on the ground in early 2016. Of the nine brothers, they were, two have lost their lives in Iraq because of the war. His father, a fighter against the same Daesh and two other brothers, had been responsible for sending him to seek new opportunities in the United Kingdom. Baxtyar, has traveled thirteen countries in a year. From Iraq to France. The Bulgarian police returned it from where it came, Turkey, leaving it without shoes and with a broken nose. The worst memory, he says, was before they reached the Greek shores; Swimming two hours when the small boat with which it was capsized and the babies drowned in the sea.

In the morning, in the countryside, the first refugees return, the same ones that the previous night has tried to sneak under a truck, with no luck. A non-existent European dream. Post-trauma and insomnia. Drinking, music, and self-harm are battle companions to relieve pain.

Baxtyar, a young Kurdish Iraqi refugee who had been a Peshmerga fighter against the IS, shows a photograph of his father (also Peshmerga) on his mobile phone. Refugee camp "Jungle", Dunkirk, France.
Baxtyar, a young Kurdish Iraqi refugee who had been a Peshmerga fighter against the IS, shows a photograph of his father (also Peshmerga) on his mobile phone. Refugee camp "Jungle", Dunkirk, France.
Baxtyar portrayed inside the small wooden hut, where he lives and sleeps.
Baxtyar portrayed inside the small wooden hut, where he lives and sleeps.
General view of the Grande Synthe refugee camp, known as "Jungle".
General view of the Grande Synthe refugee camp, known as "Jungle".
Baxtyar in front of his home.
Baxtyar in front of his home.
Baxtyar, and his two colleagues, Rzgar and Haval, cooking in the camp.
Baxtyar, and his two colleagues, Rzgar and Haval, cooking in the camp.
Baxtyar, singer inside the wooden barrack.
Baxtyar, singer inside the wooden barrack.
Haval, also an Iraqi Kurdish refugee, listens to the singing of his partner Baxtyar one night in the wooden hut where they sleep.
Haval, also an Iraqi Kurdish refugee, listens to the singing of his partner Baxtyar one night in the wooden hut where they sleep.
Baxter, ease his pain, singing and drinking alcohol.
Baxter, ease his pain, singing and drinking alcohol.
Baxtyar, sleeping in the morning inside tent.
Baxtyar, sleeping in the morning inside tent.
Baxtyar's frequent self-harm is a consequence of his feeling of anguish. In fact, it is a common practice of their peers as well. A part of the refugees resort to self-harm to calm sadness and discomfort.
Baxtyar's frequent self-harm is a consequence of his feeling of anguish. In fact, it is a common practice of their peers as well. A part of the refugees resort to self-harm to calm sadness and discomfort.
The first refugees returning to the camp, the same ones who the night before tried to sneak under a truck, with no luck.
The first refugees returning to the camp, the same ones who the night before tried to sneak under a truck, with no luck.