UNESCO is pleased to announce the winners of the fourth edition of the international photo contest ‘Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads’. Organised within the context of the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme of the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and with the support of the China World Peace Foundation, this annual contest offers an exciting opportunity for young people from all over the world to capture their understanding of the shared heritage of the Silk Roads through the lens of their camera. For this edition, participants were invited to ‘reveal the Silk Roads’ via the themes of ‘Living Together’ and ‘Faith and Spiritualities’.

Open for entries from 19 April to 5 August 2022, the contest received around 5,000 photographs from young participants all over the world. An international Selection Committee composed of six renowned professionals carefully examined the submissions before making their selections.

The contest is divided into two age categories: 14-17 year olds and 18-25 year olds, with three winners and two honourable mentions selected from each of the age categories.
 

LOOK AT THE WINNERS GALLERY HERE

The contest winners are: 

Winners Category 1: 14-17 years old

1st Prize

Aung Khant Kyaw

Myanmar, 15 years old

Photo theme: Faith and Spiritualities

"Ray of light on a Buddha Statue in Bagan"

After cleaning an ancient Buddha Image, a young monk is praying and Homage to the Buddha statue.

2nd Prize

Matthew Lam Run Yao

Singapore, 16 years old

Photo theme: Faith and Spiritualities

"The Nine Emperor Gods Festival"

The Nine Emperor Gods festival is celebrated in Singapore every year. Deities originating from Southern China are worshipped for health and protection against disease.

3rd Prize

Indigo Larmour

Ireland, 14 years old

Photo theme: Faith and Spiritualities

"Prayer Wheel"

In many Buddhist countries, such as Nepal, you'll find elaborately decorated prayer wheels being turned by worshippers, often with a set of prayer beads in their hands.

Winners Category 2: 18-25 years old

1st Prize

Mouneb Taim

Syrian Arab Republic, 21 years old

Photo theme: Living together

"Ramadan meals among the ruins in Idlib, Syria"

Neither the war nor the destruction prevented the people from holding a group breakfast for the people, which was an important habit for them in the month of Ramadan, which made them determined and determined to revive a group breakfast among each other on the rubble.

2nd Prize

Muhammad Saidul Islam

Bangladesh, 19 years old

Photo theme: Living together

"Labour in Bangladesh"

Labourers in Bangladesh transport sand across a river from ships to trucks. They work hard to afford an education for their children.

3rd Prize

Hao Jie

China, 24 years old

Photo theme: Faith and Spiritualities

"Prayer"

The Hakka people in Tulou, Fujian Province, China light incense and ask for blessings during the late autumn and early winter. This is a traditional folk festival in which collective prayers for a bumper harvest and the prevention of disasters are made.

In addition, two honourable mentions are selected per category: 

Honourable Mentions Category 1: 14-17 years old

Honourable Mention 1

Ayush Krishna Tripathi

India, 17 years old

Photo theme: Living together

"Love between faith and colour"

Young people celebrate Holi, the festival of colours, in Uttar Pradesh, India. During this festival people of all different backgrounds express their love and respect through bright colours.

Honourable Mention 2

Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto

Georgia, 17 years old

Photo theme: Living together

"Reclaiming a lost art: The carpet weavers of Borchali"

Two women discuss the best techniques to create an exact replica of the rug they are studying. In the Kvemo Kartli region, traditionally girls are taught to weave by their mothers and grandmothers. 

Honourable Mentions Category 2: 18-25 years old

Honourable Mention 1

Aida Zamirbekova

Kyrgyzstan, 21 years old

Photo theme: Living together

"Dungan wedding"

Preparations for a traditional Dungan wedding are made. The Dungan are one of Kyrgyzstan’s many diverse ethnic groups with unique traditions.

Honourable Mention 2

Yafet Gebremeskel

Ethiopia, 24 years old

Photo theme: Faith and Spiritualities

"Compass"

Those who forge their path with faith in a compass are content in life whilst those who wonder aimlessly in the wilderness feel lost and disheartened.

These winning photographs, along with a shortlist of the best of the contest, will be published in an upcoming photo album. They will also be displayed in a traveling exhibition, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

UNESCO warmly congratulates the winners and thanks all those who participated in this years contest! 

See also:

Official Website of the Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest

Contact: SilkRoadsPhotoContest@unesco.org