INTERNATIONAL HANDICRAFTS PHOTO AWARDS
WORK PACKAGE NUMBER 2 OF THE PROJECT
The International Handicrafts Photo Awards was an international photography competition organised to document, promote and preserve the rich diversity of handicrafts through the universal language of photography.
Handicrafts play an essential role in preserving cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship, vocational skills, sustainable production, local economies and community identity. Photography is the most powerful medium for recording not only handcrafted works but also the knowledge, patience and stories behind them. Building on ESDER's long experience in organising national and international photography competitions, the contest has created one of the world's most comprehensive photographic archives dedicated to handicrafts, preserving this heritage for future generations.
The competition drew 3,756 photographs from 798 photographers around the world. The results were announced and the awards were presented at the Gala Event held in Ankara, Türkiye, on 26 October 2026, which brought together photographers, artists, academics and cultural institutions.
First Prize: Ali İhsan Öztürk (Türkiye) – Hallaç, the craft of fluffing wool with a bow, Bahçesaray, Van
Second Prize: Maizal (Indonesia) – Silungkang songket weaving
Third Prize: Kyaw Zayar Lin (Myanmar) – Lotus thread making on Inle Lake
In addition to the three cash prizes, 106 Exhibition Awards were presented. The full list of award-winning photographers is available on the competition website, www.handicraftsphoto.com.
The 109 award-winning photographs have been published in the World Handicrafts Photo Catalogue, a professionally printed edition with descriptions in Turkish and English, which is being distributed to public institutions, universities, museums, cultural organisations and NGOs. The works were also shown in the photo exhibition at the gala and will soon be opened to visitors worldwide in a 3D virtual exhibition, giving lasting international visibility to the photographers and to the crafts they documented.
World Handicrafts Photo Catalogue
