Madrid: The fourth exhibition of the Istanbul Photo Awards 2025, organized by Anadolu, opened on Thursday in Madrid, Spain. The exhibition, hosted at the Pons Foundation, displays over 90 photographs that were recognized in the international competition.
According to Anadolu Agency, the event was attended by notable figures including Anadolu's CEO Serdar Karagoz, EFE news agency President Miguel Angel Oliver, and Trkiye's Ambassador to Madrid Nuket Kucukel Ezberci. Guests from diplomatic circles, the media, the arts, and business sectors also graced the occasion.
Karagoz emphasized the powerful impact of photography, particularly those capturing life, injustice, and genocide. He remarked on the necessity of confronting such images, stating, "These are photographs of dignity and truth, images that remind us of what makes us human." He further highlighted the role of photographs in presenting undeniable truths, citing an image of a mother in Gaza as an example.
The Istanbul Photo Awards, now in its 11th edition, continues to grow, with the contest receiving 22,000 entries globally. These entries reflect the human condition with remarkable clarity, according to Karagoz.
EFE's Oliver expressed gratitude to the photographers, acknowledging their role in highlighting global issues and thanking Anadolu for bringing the exhibition to Madrid. Ambassador Ezberci noted the exhibition's significance in Spain, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of Trkiye and Spain towards peace in Gaza.
The exhibition, which includes images on various themes such as social issues, sports, and the environment, will remain open until the end of the month. After previous showcases in Ankara, Istanbul, and New York, the exhibition has now made its way to Madrid.
Supported by Turkcell, TIKA, and Turkish Airlines, the Istanbul Photo Awards 2025 continues to shine a light on pressing global issues through the lens of talented photographers. Applications for the 2026 contest are now open, inviting professional photographers to submit their work by 9 January 2026.