The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest Exhibition has made its first appearance in Durban, South Africa, with 30 award-winning images by young photojournalists from around the world on display. The free exhibition, which opened at KZN Media House in Greyville on Wednesday, runs until October 23 and features photographs documenting conflict, culture, hardship, sport, and daily life in different parts of the world. The photographers represented come from countries including Russia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, and Palestine.
The exhibition is part of an international roadshow that has already visited Serbia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Brazil, Mauritania, Iran, and Indonesia, with South Africa being the eighth and final stop. Daria Nagovitcina, manager of Sputnik's International Cooperation Department, said the contest, now in its 11th year, was established in memory of Russian photojournalist Andrei Stenin, who was killed while working on assignment. The contest aims to support young photographers at the start of their careers.
Among the winning images is Indonesian photographer Reza Saifullah's "Rohingya Capsized Boat", which won first place in the Top News category. The photograph captures Rohingya refugees awaiting rescue after their boat capsized off West Aceh, Indonesia. Other winning images depict girls living at a Russian convent, a racehorse that collapsed during a race, and Chinese farmers shielding plum trees from severe weather.
The collection spans news, portraiture, sport, and environmental subjects, giving visitors a view of photography. Speaking at Tuesday's launch, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said photographs could cross cultural and linguistic barriers and draw attention to the realities faced by people elsewhere. He said a single, perfectly captured image could communicate the raw reality of human resilience, culture, and tradition in a fraction of a second.
Businessman Vivian Reddy said powerful photographs could make people stop and think about the lives captured in them. He said a powerful photograph could stop us in our tracks before we have read a caption or heard an explanation, making us feel another person's joy, recognise their suffering, or marvel at their courage. Reddy encouraged visitors to think about the people behind the images.
The exhibition is presented in partnership with Sputnik News Agency and Radio, African News Agency, IOL, and National Media Group. Russian Ambassador to South Africa Roman Ambarov said Durban was the latest South African city to host the exhibition after previous shows elsewhere in the country. He said the exhibition was an opportunity to bring together photographers, journalists, and cultural institutions using the universal language of photography.
Survé Group Holdings Chairman Dr Iqbal Survé said the exhibition was brought to Durban to give residents, employees at KZN Media House and their families, as well as artists and photographers, an opportunity to see the work. He said the exhibition was about humanity, its struggles, successes, hopes, and courage. The exhibition is open to the public and free to attend.
Key points
- The exhibition features 30 award-winning images by young photojournalists from around the world.
- The contest aims to support young photographers at the start of their careers.
- The exhibition is part of an international roadshow that has already visited several countries.
