Winners of UNESCO’s 7th Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads photography competition announced
UNESCO has announced the winners of its 7th Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads International Photo Contest, which this year celebrated the women safeguarding the traditions, skills and stories of one of the world’s great cultural networks and historic trade routes.
Organised by UNESCO’s Silk Roads Programme within its Social and Human Sciences Sector, young photographers captured the colourful diversity of the Silk Roads and its vast network of maritime and overland routes linking East, South and Southeast Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Entrants had either lived in or travelled through the regions, capturing their perspectives on the common heritage and plural identities shaped by centuries of historic trade exchanges.
Held between 26 May and 5 August 2025, the competition invited entrants aged 14 to 25 to respond to the theme Women, Guardians of Silk Roads Heritage. More than 85 countries were represented, with an international jury of cultural and photographic experts selecting three winners and honourable mentions in each of two age categories. First place winners received a professional camera, second place winners a semi-professional camera, and the prize for third place is a standard-model digital camera.
The international selection committee comprised Hannah Reyes Morales, an award-winning Filipina photographer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic Magazine, and The Washington Post and explores how historical memory and current events shape daily life. Thandiwe Muriu, a Kenyan artist whose work explores identity, culture, and female empowerment, inspired by African textiles like the Ankara and East African kanga. Renowned Chinese photographer, Zeng Yi, a curator, and social activist who founded the International Alliance of Photographic Organizations of Silk Road Countries and serves as China’s Chief Representative to the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP). And, Emilio Morenatti, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist with The Associated Press, based in Barcelona, who has reported from more than 60 countries, including extended periods in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Gaza, and Pakistan.
In the 14 to 17 category, China’s Yitian Zhang took First Prize for A Moment of Tranquillity, a striking portrait of a Tibetan grandmother cradling her granddaughter on a hillside. Second Prize went to Manizha Pulodi of Tajikistan for Suzani Embroidery Across Generations, while Viet Nam’s Minh Anh Nguyễn won Third Prize for The Colourful Patterns, depicting the centuries‑old craft of rush mat weaving.
Among the 18 to 25s, Iran’s Farbod Bavehie won with Horseback Rider at the Nowruz Fire, capturing a young woman riding through flames during Kurdish New Year celebrations. Bangladesh’s Ahsanul Haque Nayem took second for Drying Paddy, and Indonesia’s Ahmad Fahriyadi placed third with Sustaining the River’s Traditions, showing women traders at South Kalimantan’s floating market.
Honourable mentions went to Armenia’s Sona Vardanyan for Sun‑born Patterns, Afghanistan/France’s Morsal Hamidi for Echoes of the Silk Roads, and Myanmar’s Nay Thurein for Traditional Umbrellas.
The winning images, alongside a curated selection of entries, will be published in the forthcoming photo album Youth Lens on the Silk Roads and are expected to feature in future exhibitions.
14–17 YEARS OLD CATEGORY
1st Prize Yitian Zhang, China, 15 years old
A Moment of Tranquillity
“A Tibetan grandmother in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China rests on a hillside with her granddaughter in her arms, holding Buddha beads that glisten softly in the sun as symbols of fortune and faith. Culture and tradition are passed gently from one generation to the next, as they have been for centuries along the Silk Roads, where Buddhism continues to shape the spiritual life of communities.
18–25 YEARS OLD CATEGORY
1st Prize, Farbod Bavehie, Iran (Islamic Republic of), 25 years old
Horseback Rider at the Nowruz Fire
“A young woman on horseback rides past the fire while villagers and visitors observe during the Nowruz celebrations in the village of Cheshmider, near Sanandaj in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Beyond symbolizing the renewal of nature and the start of the new year, the ceremony highlights the cultural traditions celebrated along the Silk Roads and the active role of women and youth in preserving intangible heritage. The strong presence of the younger generation reflects the link between past and present and the importance of passing local cultures to future generations.”
Top Left to Right Winners 14 to 17-years-old category: 2nd Prize, Suzani Embroidery Across Generations, Manizha Pulodi, Tajikistan (17); 3rd Prize: The Colourful Patterns, Minh Anh Nguyễn Viet Nam (17); Honourable Mention: Sun-born Patterns, Sona Vardanyan, Armenia, (17).
Bottom Left to Right Winners 18 to 25-years-old category: 2nd Prize: Drying Paddy, Ahsanul Haque Nayem, Bangladesh (25), 3rd Prize: Sustaining the River’s Traditions: Women of Lok Baintan, Ahmad Fahriyadi, Indonesia (20), Honourable Mention 1: “Echoes of the Silk Roads”, Morsal Hamidi, Afghanistan/France, (21).
Bottom: Honourable Mention 2: Traditional Umbrellas Nay Thurein, Myanmar (24)
