Ebrahim Alipoor

Ebrahim Alipoor

A kolbar follows an arduous mountain path, in Kurdistan, Iran, on 1 June 2019.

Kolbars (border couriers) carry goods, such as household appliances, mobile phones, and clothes, on their backs through treacherous terrain from Iraq and Turkey into Iranian Kurdistan. The Iranian government bans import of many such goods to protect local production and save foreign currency in the face of Western sanctions. Decades-long marginalization of Kurds means widespread unemployment in the region, driving many to kolbari. In addition, many kolbars see the activity as legitimate, as they feel ties with fellow Kurds across nation-state borders they do not acknowledge. However, kolbars risk being shot by security forces and border patrols.

Ebrahim Alipoor is a Kurdish photographer from Iran whose work is deeply rooted in storytelling through the lens of photography. His practice explores the intersections of social, cultural, and political issues, often in environments where freedom of expression is restricted. Growing up in Kurdistan, he witnessed firsthand the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities, which continue to shape the focus of his work.

For Alipoor, photography is not only a form of artistic expression but also a vital means of communication, capable of raising awareness and sparking dialogue across borders. Working under the constant pressures of censorship and governmental control in Iran, he has dedicated himself to creating images that preserve memory, foster empathy, and inspire change. His commitment lies in connecting people to untold stories and in amplifying voices that are too often silenced.