WINNERS 2025
UNESCO is pleased to announce the winners of the 7th edition of the international photo contest "Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads".
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 7th edition took place from 26 May to 5 August 2025 and focused on the theme of Women, Guardians of Silk Roads Heritage.
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 Moment of Tranquillity”
Yitian Zhang
China, 15 years old
A Tibetan grandmother in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China rests on a hillside with her granddaughter in her arms, holding Buddha beads that glisten softly in the sun as symbols of fortune and faith. Culture and tradition are passed gently from one generation to the next, as they have been for centuries along the Silk Roads, where Buddhism continues to shape the spiritual life of communities.
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“Suzani Embroidery Across Generations”
Manizha Pulodi
Tajikistan, 17 years old
A mother teaches her daughter the art of ‘suzani’ embroidery, a tradition of Silk Roads heritage where every stitch carries the history and care of generations.
“The Colourful Patterns”
Minh Anh Nguyễn
Viet Nam, 17 years old
The village of An Cư, in central Viet Nam, has practiced the craft of weaving rush and sedge mats for centuries. In this photo, a woman artisan airs out rush strands after dyeing them in vivid green, purple, yellow, and red. These intricate handicrafts, once traded along the Silk Roads, highlight the significance of Vietnamese cultural heritage and the vital role of women in sustaining these traditions across generations.
HONOURABLE MENTION – CATEGORY 1
14–17 YEARS OLD
“Sun-born Patterns”
Sona Vardanyan
Armenia, 17 years old
A young woman sits on the grass in a quiet park in Yerevan, Armenia, working on her embroidery. She is wearing a “taraz”, a traditional Armenian dress, and through her hands carries forward the living heritage of craftsmanship sustained along the Silk Roads for generations.
WINNERS – CATEGORY 2
18–25 YEARS OLD
“Horseback Rider at the Nowruz Fire”
Farbod Bavehie
Iran (Islamic Republic of), 25 years old
A young woman on horseback rides past the fire while villagers and visitors observe during the Nowruz celebrations in the village of Cheshmider, near Sanandaj in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Beyond symbolizing the renewal of nature and the start of the new year, the ceremony highlights the cultural traditions celebrated along the Silk Roads and the active role of women and youth in preserving intangible heritage. The strong presence of the younger generation reflects the link between past and present and the importance of passing local cultures to future generations.
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“Drying Paddy”
Ahsanul Haque Nayem
Bangladesh, 25 years old
Five women workers use a traditional method to dry paddy in the sun, spreading and turning it with wooden rakes before dividing it into lines with palm branches. This daily practice, lasting up to ten hours, reflects both the vital role of women in sustaining agricultural life and the continuity of farming traditions along the Silk Roads.
“Sustaining the River’s Traditions: Women of Lok Baintan”
Ahmad Fahriyadi
Indonesia, 20 years old
The Lok Baintan floating market in South Kalimantan, Indonesia which has existed since the 14th century, is both a centre of trade and a place where communities gather and interact. Women traders paddle their boats across the river to exchange goods, sustaining local livelihoods while strengthening the social and cultural ties passed down for generations, echoing the vibrant exchange traditions of the Silk Roads.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS – CATEGORY 2
18–25 YEARS OLD
“Echoes of the Silk Roads”
Morsal Hamidi
Afghanistan/France, 21 years old
A young Afghan musician, dressed in embroidered garments, plays a traditional bowed instrument surrounded by handwoven carpets. Music and craftsmanship merge, creating a timeless harmony that carries cultural traditions forward.
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“Traditional Umbrellas”
Nay Thurein
Myanmar, 24 years old
A woman crafts delicate Pathein umbrellas, a traditional practice that is both an art form and a source of livelihood for her community. These beautifully made umbrellas provide calm, soothing shade and reflect the skills and cultural exchanges sustained along the Silk Roads.