WINNERS 2026
UNESCO is pleased to announce the winners of the 8th edition of the "Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads" International Photo Contest.
This contest offers an exciting opportunity for young people from all over the world to capture their understanding of the shared heritage of the Silk Roads through the lens of their camera.
The 8th edition took place from 8 April to 28 July 2026 and focused on the theme of Living Heritage along the Silk Roads.
Scroll the page to discover the winners in each age category:
Category 1: 14–17 years old and Category 2: 18–25 years old
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WINNERS – CATEGORY 1
14–17 YEARS OLD
“A Legacy in Every Carving”
Yudha Pramudya
Indonesia, 14 years old
A woodcarver from Jepara carves intricate motifs by hand, preserving a traditional craft passed down through generations.
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“Drying Peppers”
Halis Çınar Yaralı
Türkiye, 14 years old
In Nazilli, Aydın, peppers are dried under the scorching summer sun during July and August. With great effort and patience, local families continue this tradition, which provides an important source of income and supports their livelihoods.
“Shadows of Tradition”
Huilin Shen
China, 17 years old
“Shadow Play” shows children discovering the art of shadow puppetry. Standing in front of the illuminated screen, they follow the teacher’s guidance and learn how to operate the puppets. Through this experience, the children can discover firsthand the unique charm of this traditional folk art of the Silk Roads. Shadow puppetry once spread overseas along the Maritime Silk Roads, with dancing silhouettes bringing folk tales of ancient China to life. Today, as young children encounter and learn this craft once again, the civilizations of the ancient Silk Roads are vividly brought back to life.
HONOURABLE MENTION – CATEGORY 1
14–17 YEARS OLD
“Smile of the Silk Roads”
Ronav Pai Panemangalore
India, 16 years old
Elder Nyima smiles warmly while spinning wool beside a window inside the 400-year-old Kangyokspa House in Kyagar village, Ladakh. Located along the Trans-Himalayan trade network, the house historically served as an important caravan outpost on the ancient Silk Roads. Her active practice helps ensure the survival of the community's identity, echoing the deep social bonds and cross-cultural exchanges that historically connected the Himalayan regions and Central Asia along the Silk Roads.
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“A Quiet Tradition”
Medina Abdrahman
Kazakhstan, 14 years old
Away from the celebration, the bride is prepared in silence by an elder. The moment highlights the beauty of Kazakh traditions and the care with which they are preserved.
WINNERS – CATEGORY 2
18–25 YEARS OLD
“Guardians of Colour”
Mohamed Gamal Almaazon
Egypt, 24 years old
In the dim light of a traditional dye house, generations of craftsmen preserve one of Egypt’s oldest textile traditions. Surrounded by skeins of cotton awaiting colour, workers follow a process refined over decades, while elders watch over the craft.
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“Kyz Kuumai”
Alina Mamatova
Kyrgyzstan, 21 years old
“Kyz Kuumai”, or “Girl Chasing”, is a traditional Kyrgyz equestrian game associated with courtship and marriage. It tests the riders’ skill and is also seen as an expression of a woman’s independence and freedom. In the game, a young man on horseback must try to catch the young woman riding ahead of him.
“Fishing in Gold”
Tanvir Ahmed Abir
Bangladesh, 24 years old
A traditional rural fishing festival celebrates community and tradition. As the sun paints the wetlands gold, countless fishermen gather with their polo nets.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS – CATEGORY 2
18–25 YEARS OLD
“Threads of Memory”
Anita Tyan
Uzbekistan, 20 years old
Threads pass through her hands just as traditions pass through generations. This photo shows a young craftswoman weaving a carpet, a living embodiment of the cultural heritage of the Silk Roads.
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“Village Lantern Tradition”
Mengdan Zhu
China, 25 years old
In Yaogang Village, families gather during the Lantern Festival to hang ceremonial lanterns in the village ancestral hall. Passed down through generations, this centuries-old custom remains part of the community’s living heritage, expressing shared wishes for children’s healthy growth, collective well-being and prosperity.