In the aftermath of conflict, amidst the wreckage and sorrow, there are often poignant reminders of the human toll of war. Among these, the personal belongings of fallen soldiers carry a weight of history and sacrifice – a testament to lives cut short in service to their country. Such is the case with the belongings of Farid Askerov, a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second Karabakh War.
In the year 2021, the delicate process of restoring Farid Askerov’s personal effects began – a task both solemn and profound in its significance. These objects, imbued with the memories and experiences of their owner, were not merely artifacts but sacred relics, deserving of the utmost care and reverence.
The restoration process commenced with the meticulous disinfection of each item – a necessary step to ensure their preservation and to honor the memory of the fallen soldier. Next came the delicate task of cleansing the items in a special bath with distilled water, gently removing the traces of blood and soil that had mingled with the fabric over time. It was a painstaking process, undertaken with the utmost respect for the dignity of the fallen.
Once cleansed, the items were carefully pressed, allowing them to regain their shape and structure after years of neglect. Then came the painstaking work of restoring the inscriptions on the shoulder straps – a task carried out with precision and care, using acrylic colors and colored pencil lead ground into powder to recreate the faded letters. Each stroke of the brush was a tribute to Farid Askerov and to the countless others who had served alongside him.
Torn pieces of paper were delicately repaired, their fragments carefully reassembled like pieces of a shattered puzzle. Some of the erased inscriptions on the paper were painstakingly restored, allowing glimpses into the life and experiences of the soldier to whom they once belonged. The paper itself was duplicated on both sides, preserving not only its content but also its physical integrity for generations to come.
Throughout the restoration process, one decision remained paramount: to preserve the history and authenticity of these items, stains of blood and all. It was a choice born of respect for the sacrifices made by Farid Askerov and a recognition of the harsh realities of war. To remove these stains would be to erase a part of his story – a part that spoke volumes about the courage and selflessness of those who serve.
In the end, the restored belongings of Farid Askerov stand as a testament to his bravery and sacrifice – a tangible reminder of the human cost of conflict. They are more than mere objects; they are symbols of honor and remembrance, deserving of the reverence and gratitude of a nation. And though Farid Askerov may be gone, his legacy lives on in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him.
