Here are the winners![edit]

Winners announced for the Wiki Loves Safeguarding Living Heritage photo contest

The European photo contest related to the campaign resulted in 1700 photos in Wikimedia Commons focusing on the various forms of safeguarding living heritage. The winners of the contest come from Austria, Germany and Finland. The contest was organized by the European Network of Focal Points for the 2003 Convention (ENFP).

New kind of cooperation

The contest centered around the theme of safeguarding living heritage. Through this campaign, The European Network of Focal Points for the 2003 Convention (ENFP) aimed not only to document living heritage, but also to underscore the immense significance of individuals who dedicate themselves to preserving, transmitting, and safeguarding our shared human heritage. The competition strived to highlight heritage bearers, practitioners, the diverse array of communities involved, and the various methods employed in the practice and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.

Wiki Loves Living Heritage's photo contest was a collaborative, community-driven initiative that blended online and on-the-ground activities. It activated hundreds of actors in the field of intangible heritage: focal points for the Convention, NGO’s, museums, practitioners and photographers.

The photo bank created as a result of this competition serves as a valuable resource for documenting and safeguarding Europe's intangible heritage. All of the photo's enrolled in the competition are now available for free use through Wikimedia Commons.

Global campaign

The global campaign Wiki Loves Living Heritage resulted in a great number of activities around the world during 2023. More than one hundred inventories of living heritage have been brought to wikidata to provide more accessibility to these inventories and more than 4 000 elements are now linking to these inventories in Wikidata. Events and photo contests have been organized in different parts of the world.

The global campaign has been initiated by the European network of focal points for the UNESCO 2003 Convention (ENFP) and AvoinGLAM and created by organizers around the world. It has been supported by Wikimedia Foundation, Council of Europe/ European Heritage Days, Workshop intangible heritage Flanders & Flemish Commission for UNESCO in Belgium, Quebec Council for Living Heritage, Finnish Heritage Agency, Culture Ireland, Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Federal Office of Culture of Switzerland.

See also

Winners announced for the Wiki Loves Safeguarding Living Heritage in Europe photo contest, European Network of Focal Point (ENFP)

Winners announced for the Wiki Loves Safeguarding Living Heritage photo contest, Diff, Wikimedia Foundation

See all the photos in the contest by country

The winner and the Austrian winner[edit]

In d’Grean gehen – An Outing in the Greenery by Renate Stigler / Fotografinrenate

The winner for the contest is a photo from Austria depicting the tradition of social practice of outing in the greenery of vineyards in northern Weinviertel by the user name Fotografinrenate.

This image depicts In d’Grean gehen – An Outing in the Greenery. On Easter Monday, the northern Weinviertel region’s winemakers invite people to the various cellar lanes ("Kellertrift") for an “outing in the greenery” to enjoy food and drink. This particular type of outing, which is practised in several of this region’s communities, is characterised by regionally specific religious and secular elements. This social practice in Lower Austria was recorded in the Unesco ICH Austrian inventory in 2019.

Jury’s comment: The colors of this photo are in beautiful harmony, bringing together nature and human interaction in bright yellow tones. The photo depicts well the social aspect of the tradition empathizing the sharing and the safeguarding of a tradition through community efforts. The photo also stood out in the Wiki loves Safeguarding Living Heritage in Europe Campaign for its illustration of the safeguarding of the traditional knowledge and practices related to nature and our natural environments.

Austrian finalists[edit]

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Bread-Making in the Lesachtal / Naturpuur
In d’Grean gehen – An Outing in the Greenery / Fotografinrenate
Historisch nachgebaute Zille nächst der Mündung der Ager in die Traun bei der Veranstaltung Gegenzug 2023 am 26. August in der oberösterreichischen Stadtgemeinde Stadl-Paura. (Historically recreated Zille (a boat) next to the mouth of the Ager into the Traun at the Gegenzug 2023 event on August 26th in the Upper Austrian municipality of Stadl-Paura.) / C.Stadler/Bwag
Indigo Hand Block Printing in the Mühlviertel Region / Funke
Indigo Hand Block Printing in the Mühlviertel Region / Naturpuur

2nd prize and the German winner[edit]

Historical Documentary Play “Landshut Wedding of 1475“ every 4 years re-enacting the wedding of the Duke of Wittelsbach, Duke George the Rich of Bavaria-Landshut with the Polish princess Hedwig. / Andreas Kreitmaier

The second prize of the competition goes to Andreas Kreitmaier's photo from Germany. Kreitmaeir's photo represents the Historical Documentary Play “Landshut Wedding of 1475“ which is part of the German National Inventory of Intangible Heritage. The photo skillfully captures the joy of the child depicted in the photo, showcasing the importance of children's intangible heritage.

The image depicts Historical Documentary Play “Landshut Wedding of 1475”, Historical documentary play every 4 years re-enacting the wedding of the Duke of Wittelsbach, Duke George the Rich of Bavaria-Landshut with the Polish princess Hedwig. It is inscribed in the German Nationwide Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Jury’s comment: The photo depicts the safeguarding of the tradition through its recurrent collective event. The use of light creates a delicate yet playful atmosphere to the photo. The joy of the child is skillfully captured even when the face of the child itself is not visible and thus their privacy respected.

German finalists[edit]

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Hessian Scratching Finery scratch plaster execution by the master painter Hans Donges on a barn in Dautphetal-Holzhausen, photo taken in 2014 / BHD Propstei Johannesberg
BachBewegt!Tanz! modern dance performance in February 2022 on the theme of 'Doubt and Courage' with J. S. Bach's Cantata BWV 66 'Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen' (Rejoice, you hearts). Performance at the Forum am Schlosspark in Ludwigsburg with students from the Stuttgart region (dance), soloists, Gaechinger Cantorey (music), Hans-Christoph Rademann (conductor), and Friederike Rademann (concept & choreography). / Bachakademie
Historical Documentary Play “Landshut Wedding of 1475“ every 4 years re-enacting the wedding of the Duke of Wittelsbach, Duke George the Rich of Bavaria-Landshut with the Polish princess Hedwig. / Andreas Kreitmaier
Tree Fields Agriculture and Production of Dried Fruits in the Steigerwald Traditional craftsmanship, knowledge about cultivated landscape and the preservation of local fruit varieties are the centre of this tradition. / Meerfreiheit • Mareike Suhn und Christian Geisler GbR
The “Rhineland Carnival” in all its Local Variants are various local carnivals in Rhineland region in Germany. / Festkomitee Kölner Karneval

3rd prize and the Finnish winner[edit]

Traditional Finnish sauna whisking by a professional sauna healer Kaisu Mokkila.

The third prize is given to Ville Kurki's photo from Finland on sauna bathing. It represents a tradition familiar to everyone in Finland. It is inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and in the National Inventory of Living Heritage in Finland.

Jury’s comment: The composition and the use of light in the photo are skilled. The photo is set in a very common tradition, yet the photo focuses on revitalizing a nowadays more uncommon part of the tradition. The photo stood out also in highlighting women’s role in safeguarding traditions.

Finnish finalists[edit]

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Finnish sauna Traditional Finnish sauna whisking by a professional sauna healer Kaisu Mokkila. /Ville Kurki
clinker boat building Sailing with a net boat / Juha Karikoski
demoscene workshop at the Game Museum in Vapriikki, Tampere. / Saarni Säilynoja
Helsingin keskiaikapäivät 2023 / Kari3562
Kaustinen fiddle playing and related practices and expressions Kaustinen Fiddle players' jam session art a private home. Kaustinen Fiddle Playing is inscribed into Unesco's Representative list of the Intangible Heritage of the Humanity since 2021. / Lauri Oino

Andorran winner[edit]

Ball de l’Ossa d’Encamp is celebrated on Carnival Monday in the parish of Encamp (Andorra) / Binandlv

This photo depicts the Bear festivities in the Pyrenees. It is part of the living heritage of Andorra and France. It is also recently (2022) inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Jury’s comment: The photo is fun and playful. The face masks seen in the photo showcase moreover how - even in times of distress, such as the Covid epidemic - traditions can be a unifying and empowering dimension of our lives.

Andorran finalists[edit]

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Ball de l’Ossa d’Encamp is celebrated on Carnival Monday in the parish of Encamp (Andorra). It is one of the Bear festivities in the Pyrenees. These traditional festivals were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2022. / Binandlv
Ball de l'Ossa d'Ordino is a traditional celebration held in Ordino (Andorra) during the first week of December. / Binandlv

Armenian winner[edit]

Armenian rug making lesson / Astghik Makhsudyan

This image depicts Armenian carpet weaving. This weaving technique is used for carpet, rugs and floor covers, etc. It is part of the living heritage of Armenia. It is recorded in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Armenia.

Jury’s comment: The composition of the practitioners at work and the use of colors create a strong athmosphere in this photo. The depicted tradition of weaving carpets is actively practiced in Armenia. At the same time it concerns a very familiar and shared heritage practice: rug-making traditions are widely known throughout the world. Considering the Wiki Loves Safeguarding Living Heritage in Europe Campaign, the strength of the photo is situated particularly in the way it presents safeguarding through the practice and transmission of the tradition, being taught and learned one on one.

Armenian finalists[edit]

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Armenian carpet Armenian rug making lesson / Astghik Makhsudyan
Յարխուշտա (Yarkhushta, Armenian folk dance) / Astghik Makhsudyan
qanun Քանոնի դաս «Մշակութամետ» ծրագրի շրջանակներում (Music lesson within the framework of the ”Cultural Programme” / Astghik Makhsudyan
Ժանեկագործություն 02 (Armenian lace making) / Valen1988
Լարախաղաց 9 (Tightrope walking) / Արարատ Թրվանց

Belgian winner[edit]

Filming of the living heritage of making a giant in Flanders / Femke den Hollander

This image depicts the filming of practices related to Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France. The living heritage linked to the giants culture and manifestations are widely practiced until today in Belgium and France, and it is also an inscribed element in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Jury’s comment: The photo demonstrates a visually talented photography. It showcases efforts being made for the safeguarding of the tradition through audiovisual documentation, which is an important safeguarding measure.

Belgian finalists[edit]

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Pikkeling festival / Herman.vandenbroeck
Pikkeling festival Steltenlopers Merchtem / Herman.vandenbroeck
The living heritage of making a hurdy-gurdy in Flanders / Femke den Hollander
Contios uit Kontich zit klaat voor zijn eerste spektakelverhaal (Giant Contios from Kontich is ready for his first spectacle story) / Daphne Rheinehr
Filming of the living heritage of making a giant in Flanders / Femke den Hollander

Bulgarian winner[edit]

Perperuna is ceremonial rain-summoning ritual that takes place in the summer on certain dates or during period of drought / Chitali6te Velichkovo

It’s a ceremonial rain-summoning ritual that takes place in the summer on certain dates or during period of drought.

Jury’s comment: The photo laudably depicts the connection of the tradition and the contemporary setting. The urban milieu of the photographed moment underlines the presence of the tradition in the modern-day context.

Bulgarian finalists[edit]

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приготвяне на Розовска траана (Preperation of ”Rosovska Traana”) / Васкаспасова
The tradition of carpet-making in Chiprovtsi in Bulgaria is inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. / DedinJ
Surva After a two hours of work, everyone is ready with their "surovachka" and all the children are happy at the end! / Dobromir Chankov Chitalishte"Petar Yanev 1939" Kraimorie, Burgas
Perperuna is ceremonial rain-summoning ritual that takes place in the summer on certain dates or during period of drought / Chitali6te Velichkovo
Surva Kids in Kraimorie preparing their "surovacha" before the New Year. 29.12.2023 / Dobromir Chankov Chitalishte "Petar Yanev 1939" Kraimorie, Burgas

Macedonian winner[edit]

Best man shaving the groom is part of the traditional Galichnik wedding / Biljana Jurukovski

Best man shaving the groom is part of the traditional Galichnik wedding

Jury’s comment: The photo is showcasing how community members come together through traditional rituals and celebration. The photo depicts the intergenerational aspect of the wedding tradition, which is key in the transmission of living heritage.

Macedonian finalists[edit]

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”Teskoto" - traditional Macedonian dance "oro" / Biljana Jurukovski
Best man shaving the groom is part of the traditional Galichnik wedding / Biljana Jurukovski
"Majovci"- the musicians at Galichnik wedding, playing on only two instruments - zurli & tapan / Biljana Jurukovski
Galichnik wedding - In the middle of the village "zurli and tapani" are playing traditional Macedonian music / Biljana Jurukovski

Norway[edit]

Girl in bunad climbing a wall in Kvam herad on May 17, 2016. / Siglinga

Jury’s comment: The photo brings together two different traditions in a humorous way. It playfully depicts the ever-changing character of living heritage.

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Norwegian finalists[edit]

Blacksmith Mikkel Skaug at Maihaugen Lillehammer. / Morten Lauveng
Girl in bunad climbing a wall in Kvam herad on May 17, 2016. / Siglinga
Plant dyed yarn at viking market. / Monica Ferreira Ask

Ukrainian winner[edit]

Polissian dudka-vykrutka is a shepherd's instrument in Polissia. / Rivne Regional State Administration

This wind instrument depicts pipevykrutka, shepherd’s instrument of Polissia. It is part of the living heritage of Ukraine. It is recorded in National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.

Jury’s comment: The photo depicts a tradition that needs safeguarding. The strength of the photo is how it highlights the role of elderly and older practitioners of the tradition in safeguarding traditions.

and http://www.wikimediafoundation.org Wikimedia Foundation, European Heritage Days, Workshop intangible heritage Flanders & Flemish Commission for UNESCO in Belgium, Quebec Council for Living Heritage, Finnish Heritage Agency, Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Federal Office of Culture

Project initiated by the European network of focal points for the UNESCO 2003 Convention (ENFP) and AvoinGLAM and created by organizers around the world.