A collaboration between photographer François Pache and poet Sashi Zaifi explores the Pamir's beauty, politics, and exile through 90 photos and 16 poems, published in November.
A Book Combining Photos and Poems
A book featuring photographs by François Pache and poems by Sashi Zaifi is set to be published in November. The project explores the portrayal of the Pamir region, the reliability of a Western photographer’s perspective, and the complex relationship between photography and reality.The Poems Reflect on Separation and Memory
The poems in the book evoke memories of a country from which Zaifi is separated, blending poetic resonance with themes of exile and political reflection. They offer a personal and emotional counterpoint to the visual narrative of the photographs.The Photographer’s Changing Perspective
François Pache discovered the Pamir in 2023 and returned in 2025 with a new perspective, influenced by his time at the École nationale supérieure de la photographie d'Arles. His photographs now reflect a more critical view of the Western gaze on distant cultures and the potential for idealization in his own work.A Collaboration Between Photographer and Bard
Sashi Zaifi, a Pamiri bard who fled to Europe in 2022, wrote 16 poems inspired by Pache’s 90 photographs. The poems, presented in both their original form and French translation, reflect on the beauty of the Pamir, the experience of exile, and the political realities of the region.The Book’s Structure and Themes
The book is organized into seven visual narrative sections, each exploring different aspects of the Pamir: its landscapes, political dynamics, youth, and the experience of hospitality. The layout allows for both harmony and contrast between the photographs and the poems.The Genesis of the Project
François Pache explains that the project was born from a desire to create a dialogue between his photographs and Zaifi’s poetry. His second visit to the Pamir in 2025 deepened his questions about the accuracy of a Western gaze on foreign cultures and the need for a third perspective to complement his images.The Photographer and the Exiled Bard
Sashi Zaifi fled the Pamir in 2022 due to pressure from intelligence services, which sought to silence his artistic and political voice. He describes the project as a small but meaningful expression of life in exile, and he worked closely with Pache to align his poems with the photographs.A Collaborative Translation Effort
Most of Zaifi’s poems were written in Russian and Shughni, the primary language of the Pamir. The translation was done through English by Zaifi’s son and Pache, with additional checks by French-Russian and French-Shughni speakers to ensure accuracy and cultural nuance.A Shift in Perspective Between Visits
Pache’s view of the Pamir evolved between his two visits. In 2023, he was captivated by the region’s beauty, but in 2025, he saw more of its complexities, influenced by his time at an art school. This shift is visible in a nighttime photograph of a soldier near the border, which was altered by Zaifi to reflect his own experience of exile.The Book’s Political and Poetic Dimensions
The book offers a dual reading: it captures the harsh realities of life in the Pamir through its photographs and poetry, while also highlighting the need for a more accurate and respectful gaze on the region. Some poems are deeply political, while others are dreamlike and metaphysical, reflecting Zaifi’s background in philosophy and journalism.A Niche Project with Independent Publishing
Due to the book’s niche subject matter, which blends documentary, poetic, and humanistic elements, traditional publishers were reluctant to take it on. Pache therefore created his own editorial brand and launched a crowdfunding campaign to print 500 copies, aiming for a price of 28 euros to make it more accessible.
