NEW YORK — The Turkevi Center in New York opened its doors on Tuesday, October 16, 2024, to the second exhibition celebrating the 10th anniversary of the İstanbul Photo Awards, a prestigious international news photography competition organized by Anadolu Agency. The exhibit, which captures some of the most impactful moments from global events over the past year, was attended by notable dignitaries, including Türkiye’s Consul General in New York, Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, and the UN envoy, Ahmet Yıldız.
Anadolu Agency’s Chairman and CEO, Serdar Karagöz, highlighted the importance of photography in documenting human suffering and building a collective global memory. He underscored the vital role that these images play in shedding light on humanitarian crises, noting the power of visual storytelling in raising awareness of events often overlooked or silenced by the international community.
The highlight of this year’s exhibition was the announcement of the “Photo of the Year” award, which went to Palestinian photographer Mohammed Salem for his harrowing image titled “Palestinian Woman Holding Her Nephew’s Dead Body.” The image, a haunting reflection of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, serves as a stark reminder of the human toll exacted by the conflict. “Our mission at Anadolu Agency is to make these events visible to the world, just as we have done by presenting the genocide in Gaza to the global stage over the past year,” said Karagöz. “Every frame that captures and reveals these silent realities is extremely important to us.”
Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansur, expressed his gratitude for the exhibition’s focus on the genocide in Palestine, particularly the powerful section dedicated to Gaza. Mansur praised the exhibition for giving voice to the victims and bringing attention to the ongoing conflict through the medium of photography.
In addition to the photo exhibition, Anadolu Agency also screened its documentary “The Evidence,” which exposes the war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. The documentary drew strong reactions from attendees, reinforcing the importance of visual documentation in bringing international attention to war crimes and atrocities.
The exhibition features a broad range of photographs documenting significant global events from the past year, from humanitarian crises and conflicts to sporting achievements. The exhibit offers a glimpse into the hardships and triumphs witnessed across the globe, all captured through the lenses of some of the world’s most talented photographers.
Open to the public from November 7 to 12 at the Blue Gallery on 46th Street in Manhattan, the exhibition is supported by prominent sponsors, including Turkcell as the communication sponsor, Sony as the award sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines (THY) as the airline sponsor.
The İstanbul Photo Awards continues to play a pivotal role in showcasing impactful images that provoke thought, spark conversation, and inspire global action. The exhibition in New York not only celebrates 10 years of remarkable photography but also reinforces the power of images to document history and advocate for change.–News Desk