“Seeing the place where I spent my whole life, where I had so many happy days is heartbreaking. Sometimes I still hear the voices of our neighbors. We were so close, even closer than relatives. Now there’s no one left. Some people are glad to leave because their homes were old and falling apart. They’re getting clean, proper apartments now, even if they’re far away. But what about us? We know every stone here. This place is becoming scary, but we’re not afraid. Our doors are still open — this is our home. Each day, another house disappears, and with it, another family’s story. Soon, we’ll have to go too. Maybe one day we’ll come back and see a park here… but how are we supposed to feel then? We want to remember it as it was — warm homes, kind neighbors, long talks, small fights. We were a family.” — the woman said, then looked up and added softly: “If it rains more, the roof might fall down.”
"Sovetskaya" was one of the oldest neighborhoods in Baku, full of life, stories and generations of families. People here were more than neighbors — they were a community. Doors were never locked. Everyone shared what they had — food, joy, sorrow and time.
As the city grows and develops, it often calls for major changes — expanding roads and reshaping urban space to meet modern needs. Sometimes, that means reaching into old neighborhoods like "Sovetskaya", where history lives in every corner.
All residents were provided with new apartments, offering better living conditions, safety and comfort. But not everyone was ready for this change. For many, it wasn’t just about moving houses — it was about leaving behind a part of themselves.
This documentary is a tribute to an authentic Baku neighborhood — a place that may be gone, but is not forgotten. It was created mostly for those who might one day come across these photos and say “That was my room,” or “I wrote that message to my neighbors.” For those who carry this place in their hearts, even if it no longer exists on the map.
"Goodbye, neighbors. Good luck to all of you."
