A Grand Opening with International Participation
The Istanbul Photo Awards exhibition opened at Türkevi in New York with a wide range of attendees, including diplomatic representatives and media professionals. The event was attended by Türkiye’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ahmet Yıldız, and Anadolu’s Chairman and Director General, Serdar Karagöz, along with numerous ambassadors, diplomats, academics, and journalists.
In his opening speech, Anadolu’s Director General Serdar Karagöz emphasized that photography has always served as a document throughout history. “From the first camera obscura to today’s digital photography, many things have changed. The only thing that has remained constant is that every photograph is a document. Because photography bears witness to the construction of time and memory,” he said.
“Photo of the Year” Award Goes to Palestine
At the 2023 Istanbul Photo Awards, the “Photo of the Year” award was given to Palestinian photographer Mohammed Salem for his work titled Palestinian Woman Embracing the Body of Her Dead Niece. Karagöz highlighted that the selected photographs not only document human suffering but also build collective memory. “As Anadolu, our mission is to make these events visible, just as we have been showing the genocide in Gaza to the world for the past year,” he said.
Anadolu’s Global Journalism Mission
Karagöz emphasized that the books The Evidence and The Witness, prepared by Anadolu, serve as crucial documents in the fight against genocide in Gaza. He noted that these books are now on the desks of international organizations and that Anadolu reporters have recorded some of the most valuable evidence included in legal case files.
He also pointed out that the documentary, which follows The Evidence book, has been screened in London, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and multiple states in the U.S. “All our efforts are aimed at making the invisible visible within the modern communication ecosystem. We strive to awaken and raise awareness against this genocide,” he stated.
Karagöz stressed that what is happening in Gaza is not a political issue but a humanitarian one, adding, “The more children and civilians you kill, the worse your ultimate defeat will be. It is clear that no one can win a war by killing children.”
185,000 Photos Submitted in 10 Years
Speaking on the international prestige of the Istanbul Photo Awards, Karagöz noted that over the past decade, the competition has received 185,000 photo submissions from 18,000 photographers worldwide. This year alone, more than 20,000 photos were submitted, with an international jury selecting 32 winning photographers across 10 different categories.
Türkiye’s Consul General Yazal stated that the exhibition showcases both the best and worst aspects of humanity, emphasizing the dedication of photographers who work in the world’s most challenging regions. He praised their courage and commitment to truth.
The Evidence Documentary and a Global Perspective
Following the exhibition opening, Anadolu’s The Evidence documentary, which exposes Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, was screened for attendees.
The exhibition also features powerful images capturing global events from the past year, including the devastating February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, refugee camps in Afghanistan, the plastic waste crisis in Nigeria, and discrimination in India.
Additionally, the exhibition presents striking sports photography, showcasing moments from the World Swimming Championships in Japan, Wimbledon, and other major sporting events.
The Istanbul Photo Awards exhibition will be open to visitors from November 7-12 at Blue Gallery on 46th Street in Manhattan. More details about the competition can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com.