Photographers captured Aladaglar and Bolkar Mountains in their frames

The Aladaglar-Bolkar Mountains Photo Safari Competition, supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, organized by the Niğde Governorship, Ahiler Development Agency, and Photo Organizations Association (FOTON), has started.

Taking place between June 6-9, the photo safari aims to contribute to the promotion of the beauty, deep cultural heritage, exciting activities, and impressive local features of Niğde’s Aladaglar and Bolkar Mountains region, one of Turkey’s important tourism areas. The selective jury members of the competition, which brings together photography enthusiasts from different cities, also reached the summit in Aladaglar. The jury members include photojournalist Coşkun Aral, photographers Mustafa Seven, Cem Kıvırcık, Osman Demirden, FOTON Board Member Tanın Helvacı, Fatih Kızılkaya, and Faruk Er, Head of Planning, Programming, and Strategy Development Department of Ahiler Development Agency. Visitors to the city within the scope of the competition, accompanied by Niğde Governor Cahit Çelik, toured the Aladaglar National Park. Governor Çelik mentioned that there are 392 endemic plant species in the Aladaglar National Park region, emphasizing that both Aladaglar and Bolkar Mountains are among the most beautiful mountains in the country. He stated, ‘Both Bolkar Mountains and Aladaglar are mountains in our country with tourism potential. However, during our visit today, we saw plastic waste. Everyone who comes to the mountains should be sensitive to the environment. Any harm we cause to the environment ultimately affects us.’ Governor Çelik read a poem he wrote for Aladaglar after his speech in Emli Valley.

Documentary producer and photojournalist Coşkun Aral mentioned that the region is uniquely beautiful for photographers, emphasizing that there are significant details for macro and underwater photography. Over the course of 3 days, the works of participants who took photos on the designated routes as per the competition rules will be evaluated by the selective jury, and on June 9, the first prize winner will be awarded 25,000 TL, the second prize winner 20,000 TL, and the third prize winner 15,000 TL during a ceremony.