REHA BILIR
FIAP AUSPICES – 2025/031
22nd April 2025
A JOURNEY FILLED WITH PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART IN BENIN
In April, we, as members of Sille Sanat Sarayı, completed an unforgettable trip to Benin witha team of 10 participants, returning with lasting memories and hundreds of strikingphotographs. The trip was enriched by the participation of Vladimir Jovanovski, President of the IAAP Photo Society in North Macedonia and Honorary Member of SSS. The program was prepared by Yekini Djouberou, President of the Benin Photography Academy. Throughout the journey, we were also accompanied by Mrs. Pelaqué Beahenou, President of the Benin Women Photographers Association. During the trip, we held photography sessions in Ganvié Village, the Temple of the Pythons, and Ze Village. We had the honor of visiting King IX Toffa of Porto Novo — a city of which I am proud to be an honorary citizen — and gained a close insight into the deep-rooted cultureof Benin. We were hosted by the Benin Women Photographers Association, observed a traditional Voodoo ceremony, and visited the iconic Amazon Statue. During our visit, we also signed a cooperation protocol for joint art events to be held in Benin in 2026 by Sille Sanat Sarayı. The protocol was signed with Princess Ester Bigo of Benin, Mr. Eric Gbeha, President of Culture and Creative Industries, and Mr. Alli Wassy Sissy, Presidentof Cultural Arts Communities. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Gbeha was presented with a handcrafted ceramic plate — a product of KOMEK — prepared with the support of Dr. Sadık Sefer, Mayor of Hüyük. As Sille Sanat Sarayı, we are proud to have brought together Benin’s rich culture with theuniversal language of photography through this meaningful journey.