Turkey
On June 28, 2016 a terrorist attack at Ataturk Airport left 42 people dead and at least 230 injured. Just a couple weeks later, a military coup attempted to overthrow the Turkish government resulting in 294 deaths, 1440 injuries and more than 6000 arrests. These are just two of the many violent incidents that have taken place in the country in the last year.
These photographs taken in May of 2016 capture the everyday lives of the Turkish people that continue despite terrorist attacks and political turmoil. Recent media imagery of Turkey depict an “unstable" country, dissuading tourists from visiting and subsequently hurting local residents who rely on tourism revenue for their livelihoods. These images aim to offer a more well-rounded picture of Turkey. They serve to remind the rest of the world that not everyone living in Turkey is contributing to the country's instability, many are just trying to live normal lives. While the country's future may be uncertain, these photographs demonstrate that Turkish people remain resilient and hospitable as ever.