196. Today in 1920s Turkey: 26 September 1928 (Farewell Summer)
Comments:
Illustrated gazettes and other periodicals of the 1920s often included seasonal stories as well as vignettes from local events and personal stories. This captioned photograph falls under these categories for being seasonally relevant (thus, current) and representative of some segment of “average” citizenry, however that may be defined. To this end, in this decade we also see the rise of staff photo-journalists roaming the country for the perfect snap-shot. Likewise, readers also occasionally sent in their own unsolicited photographs as well as photograph submissions for various competitions. This picture was likely the product of the journal’s photographer’s efforts and not a reader submission since reader submissions are usually accompanied with image credits, whereas internally procured photos do not.
This picture was one in a series of three photos published over the centerfold of the broadsheet paper (entire page included below). Each of the pictures show a gathering of people enjoying themselves outdoors. The connecting theme between all of them being final, end-of-summer excursions into nature. Our particular photograph demonstrates a range of recreational activities including lounging, laughing, smoking, and drinking... The news is current because it celebrates the present, comfortable weather conditions at a precarious moment when they could change, never to recover again until the next Spring. The purpose of this series of pictures, thus, is to show “updates” from different parts of the country and show inclusiveness by reflecting its people. Besides their captions, the pictures have no accompanying text, thus they function as vaguely “informative” but generalized bits of “news,” or dare I say… fluff pieces.
Photo captions:
(Türkçe) Yaza elveda: Ankara’nın Kayaş mesiresinde keyifli arkadaşların sefası.
(English) Goodbye to the summer: Cheerful friends having a good time in Ankara’s Kayash recreational park.
