In Brussels, an exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of the Anadolu Agency’s “Istanbul Photo Awards” photo competition captivated visitors with the intensity of the emotions transmitted by the winning photos. The photographs, exhibited in the Belgian capital, left a strong impression on the spectators present during the official opening evening.
Johann Weick, a political analyst from Brussels, highlighted the importance and impact of the exhibition. He invited diplomats, NGOs and journalists to discover these works, in particular photographs recounting significant events such as the earthquakes in Türkiye, the war in Ukraine, and the Israeli attacks in Gaza. “The award-winning photography taken in Gaza is particularly striking,” he said, adding that reporting in areas like Gaza must continue.
Regarding the need for balanced coverage, Weick emphasized the importance of giving Palestinians a voice. He also praised the work of Anadolu Agency in reporting in the region.
Yves Gobart, artist present at the exhibition, expressed his admiration for the quality of the photographs presented for the first time. “The images perfectly capture the emotions,” he commented, referring to the work “Palestinian hugging the lifeless body of her nephew” by Mohammed Salem, revealing the harsh realities of the events.
Shohina Behzoda, from Diplomatic World magazine, also praised the impact of the photographs on display. According to her, these photos transcend simple photography, becoming artifacts that tell poignant human stories.
This edition of the Istanbul Photo Awards saw the participation of more than 20,000 photos, evaluated in various categories such as news, sport and environment. Thirty-two photographers were awarded prizes this year, in a competition supported by partners such as Sony and Turkish Airlines.
