Kırkpınar

In this striking photobook, Anadolu Ajansı’s seasoned photojournalist Elif Öztürk immortalizes the centuries-old Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival—one of the most prestigious events in traditional Turkish wrestling—through a series of unforgettable images.

Awarded by the globally renowned World Press Photo, this special collection offers an intimate and dynamic portrayal of the three-day contest in the “field of valor,” capturing the wrestlers’ fierce struggles for victory and their meticulous preparation rituals in vivid detail.

Presented entirely in black and white, Kırkpınar offers a compelling visual narrative that documents not only the spirit of the sport but also the tenacity and discipline of the athletes. Bridging the timeless tradition of oil wrestling with the clarity of contemporary photojournalism, the book opens a fresh visual window into this enduring cultural heritage.