UNESCO is pleased to announce the winners of the International Photo Contest “Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads, which was open from 11 April – 22 July 2018. The main objective of the contest was to raise young people’s interest in the Silk Roads, and to encourage them to share their views and perspectives on the common heritage that developed along these historical Routes of Dialogue.

The contest was divided into two age groups: 14-17 years old, and 18-25 years old.  Following a call for participation, 6.625 submissions from 100 different countries were received.    A Selection Committee, comprised of six renowned professional photographers, examined the photos while receiving the honorary support of famed photograph Reza.  They selected three winners from each age category.

These photographs are accessible via our official websites:

Silk Roads Online Platform
UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest

The contest winners are:

Category 1: 14-17 years old

First Place: Mr Zijie Gong (China)  

Second Place: Mr Rishab Nandi (India)

Third Place: Mr Michael Theodric (Indonesia)

Category 2: 18-25 years old

First Place: Mr Pyae Paing (Myanmar)

Second Place: Ms Xiaoyi Yan (China)

Third Place: Mr Ahmed Gaber Eid (Egypt)  

In addition to the winners, the Selection Committee also chose 2 Honorable Mentions, as well as 70 photographs that best represented the spirit of the contest.  

Category 1: Honorable Mention, 14-17 years old

Ms Anushka Kesarwani (India)

Mr. Fardin Oyan (Bangladesh)

Category 2: Honorable Mention, 18-25 years old

Ms Amanullah Sedaqat (Afghanistan)

Ms Nasiba Nurmatova (Kyrgystan)

These exceptional photographs will be published in a photo album that will be distributed to different shareholders. They will also be displayed in a traveling exhibition that will circulate throughout different countries in order to raise youth’s awareness and involvement of shared history and values.

The Award Ceremony will be organized in Beijing, China, on the occasion of the International Peace Day, and in partnership with the China World Peace Foundation.  It will bring together more than 400 participants.  These will include the winners and members of the Selection Committee, as well as representatives of participating Member States, youth associations and communities.

A Panel discussion entitled, “Youth’s Visions on the Silk Roads”, will be organised to allow young people to share their views, and discuss the ways and means to enhance youth’s involvement in the Silk Roads. Here, the Photo Exhibition will be presented for the first time.