UNESCO is pleased to announce the winners of the 3rd edition of the international photo contest “Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads", which ran from 24 May to 31 August 2021. The contest aims to raise of the Silk Roads shared heritage amongst young creatives, encouraging them to share their views and perspectives on the legacy and spirit of these historic routes of dialogue through the lens of their cameras. 

In light of the context of the global Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s contest focused on the two parallel themes of “Textiles and Clothing” and “Intercultural Exchanges in the Time of Covid-19, Including in the Field of Textiles and Clothing”. 

The contest is divided into two age categories: 14-17 years old, and 18-25 years old. Following a call for participation, around 3,000 submissions from all over the world were received. The international selection committee, comprised of renowned professional photographers, examined the entries, and selected the following winners from each age category. 

LOOK AT THE WINNERS GALLERY HERE

The contest winners are: 

Winners Category 1: 14-17 years old 

1st position

S.M. Al Muztaba Rosul 

Bangladesh, 17 years old 

Colours of Life 

2nd prize 

Arda Taş 

Turkey, 16 years old  

Road in the Window 

3rd prize 

KOU Yangming 

China, 15 years old 

Joyful Dance

Winners Category 2: 18-25 years old 

1st prize 

Jahid Alam 

Bangladesh, 24 years old 

Life in Fabric, the Survivor

2nd prize 

Kyaw Zay Yar Lin 

Myanmar, 25 years old 

Novice Monks Pray Wearing Masks

3rd prize 

Behzod Boltaev 

Uzbekistan, 25 years old 

Happy Moment

In addition, honourable mentions are selected per category: 

Honourable Mentions Category 1: 14-17 years old

Honourable Mention 1

Nozanin Homidjonova  

Tajikistan, 17 years old 

A Glimpse of the Silk Roads in Modern Times 

Honourable Mention 2

Symbat Zhamalbay 

Kazakhstan, 17 years old 

The Power of the Silk Roads 

Honourable Mentions Category 2: 18-25 years old

Honourable Mention 1

Mohammad Ali Mirzayee  

Afghanistan, 21 years old 

Beauties of Culture 

Honourable Mention 2

ZHAO Lu 

China, 18 years old 

Ritual Drums

Honourable Mention 3

Emran Hossain 

Bangladesh, 18 years old 

A Young Woman Sewing by Hand at a Tailor Shop

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 extends many congratulations to this year's winners and thanks all those who participated!