Türkiye’s Ambassador to Athens participates in AA’s “Photo of the Year” contest

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Athens, Çağatay Erciyes, joined Anadolu Agency’s (AA) annual “Photo of the Year” voting, which showcases impactful images from 2024, spanning news, daily life, natural environment, sports, and a special category titled “Free Syria.”
A Meaningful Selection in “Free Syria”
Highlighting the significance of the newly introduced “Free Syria” category, Erciyes chose Emin Sansar’s photo titled “People, Flag, Freedom,” which depicts Syrians celebrating with fireworks in Damascus’ Umayyad Square following the fall of the Baath regime.
"This photo symbolizes the Syrian people’s victorious fight for freedom and their hope for the future, all captured in one frame. It’s truly meaningful," Erciyes commented.
Natural Environment Category
In the “Natural Environment” category, Erciyes selected two striking images:
“Above the Ice, Below the Water” by Şebnem Coşkun, portraying Turkish scientists conducting research on Arctic glaciers, reflecting Türkiye’s expanding global scientific presence.
Costas Baltas’ “Accustomed,” capturing evacuations during a wildfire in Greece, emphasizing the urgency of international cooperation in addressing forest fires.
Erciyes noted Türkiye’s assistance to Greece during recent wildfires, underlining the importance of bilateral collaboration in such crises.
Daily Life and Sports
For the “Daily Life” category, Erciyes praised İsa Terli’s “7 Hills, 5 Minarets, 1 Tower,” a striking image of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, calling it a “beautiful representation of the city’s history and nature.”
In the “Sports” category, Erciyes chose Hakan Aygün’s “Cedi,” featuring Turkish basketball star Cedi Osman in action. Praising Osman’s current performance with Greece’s Panathinaikos, Erciyes added, “I often attend his matches, and he’s having an excellent season.”
News Category
Finally, in the “News” category, Erciyes picked Tahsin Ceylan’s “Water Level,” which captures Türkiye’s Coast Guard teams patrolling above and below the sea in Fethiye.
As a fellow underwater photographer, Erciyes expressed admiration for Ceylan’s work, emphasizing its reflection of the Coast Guard’s dedication and Türkiye’s underwater photography expertise.