Traditionally The Day marks its birthdays among friends. This time was no exception. On Friday the newspaper marked its 10th anniversary with the 8 th International Photo Contest «Ten Years. Day by Day.» Kyiv residents and guests will be able to explore the best works submitted to the contest at the Ukrainian Home till Sept. 24.
As usual, The Day’s photo contest has been very popular with photographers during the year and works kept being submitted until few days before the exhibit. This time The Day once again beat the records of previous years, with two hundred best photos displayed in two halls (1,250 submitted in all), compared to 800 in 2005. These works were submitted by 173 contestants in all regions of Ukraine.
Likewise the number of special prizes from the exhibit’s guests of honor has increased. For example, Natalia Kravchuk, the author of Pershyi khlopets (The Number One Lad), received a dress specially made by Lilia Pustovit, one of Kyiv’s best designers. Oleksandr Kosariv («Bets are Made») and Oleksandr Synytsia («After the Match») received invitations to attend a soccer match in Italy from the Soccer Federation of Ukraine.
The special superprize of 5,000 hryvnias from Viacheslav Yutkin, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, NRB-Ukraine, went to Maksym Levin for his photograph «Who Said That?» The Day’s staff photographer Borys Korpusenko won the Grand Prix and 10,000 hryvnias from NRB-Ukraine for his «Two Truths.»
The birthday party and the opening of the photo exhibit took place in a festive and at the same time friendly atmosphere. The Day’s journalists asked the first visitors about the exhibit’s importance for Ukrainians and what kind of Ukraine they saw in the photos.
Yevhen MARCHUK, ex-Minister of Defense of Ukraine, ex-Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council:
I know all of The Day’s exhibits: nine in all. Every exhibit reflected the trends of the year. Last year almost half the photos had to do with the Orange revolution. Those photos were marked by optimism and enthusiasm, although there were different themes. This exhibit is polyphonic, it presents a picture of today’s Ukraine. Characteristically, press photographers and art photographers choose situations, looking for an angle at which to portray Ukraine. It can be a snotty kid crying, waiting to be comforted, or President Yushchenko in Alchevsk. I like the photos showing ordinary people and their desire of justice.
I was especially impressed by the Parliamentary Elections cycle. This exhibit is marked by an emphasis on politicians in general and politicians in parliament in particular. What can one find there except brawls and impassioned squabbles? Yet the photographers found lots of interesting and simply incredible things like Chornovil and communists standing behind the podium and clinking glasses (filled with water to be sure). There no offence meant, there is a sense of proportion and humor, a humorous context.
I’d like to stress that the number of participants increases with each passing year. This year it is 1,500. It means that people have enough material for their cameras. I’m a bit of a photographer myself, so I know what I’m talking about, so I also decided to choose what I thought was the best photo. I abided by one principle. It had to be a «newbie’s» work. I chose Oleh Chychelnyk’s photo. I met him today. He is a very interesting person. I wish the photographers and organizers of the exhibit inspiration.
Prof. Petro KRALIUK, Ph.D., Deputy Rector for Scientific Work, Ostroh Academy:
Compared to last year’s exhibit, this one appears more pessimistic. Last year we saw works inspiring hopes for good prospects. This time we see more sadness, but not despair. Rather an attempt to stop and think things over. And, of course, it should be noted that The Day remains objective in describing political realities.
