The fifth of the Diyarbakır International Photography Days, organized by Diyarbakır Photography Amateurs Association (Difak) since 2013, was held in Diyarbakır May 7-22-28, 2017. Organized in partnership with Diyarbakır Arts Center (DSM), Nar Photos, and WePhotos and in collaboration with Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Du Çem Cafe and Art House, the 5th Diyarbakır International Photography Days set out with the motto ‘Photography Despite Everything’, referring to the restorative and unifying power of photography. The event, which featured a variety of presentations and workshops, attracted significant attention from photographers from İstanbul and Diyarbakır. With the contribution and collaboration of the Consulate General of the United States in Adana, the program started with a portfolio reading evaluation and photography talk by US photographer, journalist and academic Donna De Cesare May 7-8, 2017. Another important guest of the international leg of the program was Evelien Kunst from the Netherlands, who had previously worked as a photo agency manager, communication expert, and trainer. In the program, which was organized with the contributions of the Consulate of the Netherlands, Evelien Kunst facilitated a workshop and gave a public talk, sharing her nearly 20 years of professional experience in various fields of photography with photographers and photo agencies in Diyarbakır. In addition, Ahmed Najm from Metrography Photography Agency, known for their influential works in Iraq, also participated in the event series and shared his insights on the reflection of current developments in Iraq in the field of photography.

Within the scope of the Photography Days, which kicked off Monday, May 22, 2017, photographers and visual artists shared their work through presentations held at Difak in the evenings throughout the week. Sabri Özdemir, Cenk Gençdiş, Hakan Yaralı, and Enis Rıza presented their works to the audience. Additionally, workshops on photography techniques by Ümit Kıvanç and a Women Photographers Workshop moderated by Şehlem Kaçar were organized as part of the program. In lieu of an opening ceremony, a small show was held in memory of Stanley Green, a prominent documentary photographer who had participated in the previous Diyarbakır Photography Days and who had passed away. The show took place at the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Yücel Tunca and Özcan Yaman participated as speakers in the opening panel, which was moderated by Özcan Yurdalan. The event also included participation from the representatives of the associations in Batman, Mardin, and Urfa. Batman Culture and Art Association, Batman Youth House Photography Club, Selmet Güler from Mardin Ro-graf, Murat Yazar and Paşa İmrek from Urfa Mefsad presented their recent works. As in previous years, the program concluded with a closing forum where the participants shared their general evaluation of the event and suggestions for the future.