Art makes Russian soldiers forego mop-up in Alkhan-KalaRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus - The ongoing war has taught Chechens how to behave in extraordinary situations; and any given day can become extraordinary. No one going to work or school in the morning can be sure they will return home safely that evening.
Just as in the past, Chechen inhabitants regard mopping-up operations as the most dangerous of all, since they often result in many innocent people disappearing. Most of these are no longer large-scale operations----now soldiers simply block off one street where they assume rebels are hiding, and screen all the men residing there.
Yet an interesting thing recently occurred on one of the streets of the Alkhan-Kala village where a so-called "harsh mop-up" operation was underway. Nearly every man aged 15 to 55 was checked.
It just so happens that Umar, an artist, lives on that street. As the mopping-up campaign progressed, he remained sitting on the front steps of his house and obstinately refused his wife’s entreaties to escape through the garden before the soldiers arrived.
So she wisely decided to assemble all her husband´s paintings in the front yard. When the soldiers turned up minutes later, they stopped dead in their tracks, mesmerized by the artwork. When they heard Umar was the artist, they began studying each canvas as if they were at an art exhibit, and even commented on which painting they liked better. All the while Umar remained sitting on the steps, holding his head in his hands.
The display of art made quite an impression on the commander who told Umar: ”I'm sorry, but I was ordered to come here. However, I love your paintings; you obviously paint from the heart.” And with that, he and his men departed.
(O/E,T) |
