The River as a Witness

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Follows the Kabul River as a symbol of change, from a source of life to a dry riverbed carnival to a renewed flow.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The River in the 1980s The River in the 1980s from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Living Waterway Fishing and Frolicking Laila and Tariq play near the river. It is full of water, lined with trees. It is a place of joy.

The River in the 1980s from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Living Waterway Fishing and Frolicking Laila and Tariq play near the river. It is full of water, lined with trees. It is a place of joy.

A Living Waterway Fishing and Frolicking Laila and Tariq play near the river. It is full of water, lined with trees. It is a place of joy. The River as a Boundary Neighborhoods are divided by the river. It is a natural landmark. In the war, it becomes a line between factions. A Symbol of Life Before the drought, the river is a symbol of Kabul's vitality. It provides water for gardens and homes.

Titanic City Titanic City from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Dry Bed of Commerce The Drought The river dries up. It becomes a wasteland. But then vendors move in, creating a market called Titanic City.

Titanic City from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Dry Bed of Commerce The Drought The river dries up. It becomes a wasteland. But then vendors move in, creating a market called Titanic City.

A Dry Bed of Commerce The Drought The river dries up. It becomes a wasteland. But then vendors move in, creating a market called Titanic City. It is a bizarre bazaar. The Name The market is named after the popular film Titanic. It sells everything from carpets to fake prescriptions. It is a symbol of resilience and absurdity. The Taliban's Gaze Talib patrols walk through Titanic City, enforcing their rules. The riverbed is a place of desperation and small joys.

The River Returns The River Returns from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Renewal The Floods After snow, the river flows again. The spring floods wash away Titanic City. People are glad to see the river clean.

The River Returns from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Renewal The Floods After snow, the river flows again. The spring floods wash away Titanic City. People are glad to see the river clean.

Renewal The Floods After snow, the river flows again. The spring floods wash away Titanic City. People are glad to see the river clean. A Symbol of Hope The river's return is a metaphor for Kabul's rebirth. Laila sees it as a sign that the country can recover. The Future Laila teaches at the orphanage, looking out at the river. The cycle of destruction and renewal continues. She chooses to be part of the renewal.

1980s, Laila's childhood

1999-2001, during the drought

spring 2003, after the end of the drought