2024 UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest

Deadline: 14 July 2024

The UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads photo contest, hosted under the auspices of the Organization’s Silk Roads Programme within the Social and Human Sciences Sector, serves as a platform to promote photography as a means to foster cultural interaction, mutual understanding, and peace among communities linked by the historic Silk Roads.

Theme: “Life Celebrations”

This year marks the 6th edition of the contest, inviting young photographers to explore and capture the essence of cultural celebrations along the Silk Roads. Against the backdrop of global challenges such as conflicts, economic instability, and climate crises, the theme of “Life Celebrations” holds particular significance. It aims to uplift and inspire youth by highlighting positive cultural traditions and creating a digital space to nurture optimism.

What to Capture:

• Birth and Naming ceremonies
• Anniversaries symbolizing relationships and time
• Rites of passage ceremonies
• Colourful weddings and engagements
• Seasonal transitions like Spring or Autumn Festivals
• Harvest festivals and other cultural rituals

Entries will be evaluated by an International Selection Committee consisting of renowned photographers: GMB Akash (Bangladesh), Fatimah Hossaini (Afghanistan), Liang Li (China), Mustafa Seven (Türkiye), and Osama Silwadi (Palestine).

Key Information:

• Categories: 14 to 17 years old and 18 to 25 years old
• Prizes: Winners in each category receive professional, semi-professional, or digital cameras.
• Exhibition: Around 60 top photos will feature in the “Youth Lens on the Silk Roads” album and may be showcased in global exhibitions.

For detailed instructions on how to participate and submission guidelines, click here.

Join us in celebrating cultural diversity and life along the historic Silk Roads through the lens of youth photographers!