NYMPH OF THE FOLKLORE MOUNTAIN
BY GABIJA MATKUTĖ (LITHUANIA)
"The shot was taken at the Gaudeamus Student Song and Dance Festival that took place in Lithuania. Baltic students gather here to celebrate folklore by singing their native tunes and dancing folk dances. This event captures a special atmosphere - huge crowds of students gather on a mountain in Vilnius (the capital of Lithuania) and unitethrough the spirit of Baltic folklore traditions. Although Gaudeamus festival brings cheer and laughter, the main protagonist looks at the camera seriously. She resembles a nymph, hiding under the glasses of our modern world, appreciating the wisdom of the past received through folk music. Surprisingly, the girl is not entirely in the center of the picture. This element of surprise is for other participants, and it reminds us that past wisdom should be passed on by generations, the movement of free Europe and through cooperation with each other.”
CONTOURS OF THE FUTURE
BY ELENA GEORGIOU (CYPRUS)
“When in Europe, one greatly benefits from immersion in diverse cultures, rich history, and vibrant art scenes. This experience fosters a profound appreciation for the interplay between tradition and innovation, as exemplified in the photograph. The image reflects the culture of exploration and progress that pervades Europe. The juxtaposition of the little girl with the monumental architecture symbolizes the continuity of human effort across generations. Europe's wealth of historical landmarks embodies a culture that values progress while honoring its heritage. The cloudy sky in the background suggests the dynamic nature of European societies, which are constantly moving forward while rooted in their past. Overall, the photograph captures the essence of European culture – a blend of tradition and innovation, where the past and future intersect in a seamless continuum. It serves as a poignant reminder of Europe's rich history, vibrant present, and promising future.”
UNTITLED
BY NATALIE SEDLACKOVA (THE CZECH REPUBLIC)
"The photo reveals a NATO radar station breaking through a sea of clouds, its presence suggesting a sense of quiet resilience amidst the ever-changing skies.”
VASIL
BY FELIX KRUPA (SLOVAKIA)
"A working-class hero is something to be...” is a fragment of song lyrics by John Lennon. “Working Class Hero”, 1970.”
CALMNESS
BY ZELDA ŽAGARIŅA (LATVIA)
“Life in an open, safe society with common values is Calmness. When Calmness comes, beautiful things happen :).”
FIRST BREATHING OF AUTUMN
BY SOFIIA SERDIUCHENKO (UKRAINE)
"My work shows the calm pace of life. Spring turns into summer, and summer slowly turns into autumn. All is cyclic, like events in our lives. The photo shows a small part of Europe, a pleasant atmosphere in the hearts of those who observe daily modern changes and stop for a second to breathe in this valuable and important thing for every person – life.”
GREEN LIFE
BY RODION PODRUCHNYI (MALTA)
"With this picture I wanted to show that living in Europe has several green meanings. The territory of Europe itself is very green – beautiful nature and fertile land. Europe is very concerned about ecological issues, the preservation of the green planet (Green course). The influx of migrants also shows that people really want to live in Europe. The green fruit in my photograph is like a symbolic delicacy that tempts everyone. Fruits are also a part of a culture (agriculture). Culture combines several areas – traditions and behavioral culture, religion, garden and sports culture, etc."
BEES
BY KAJA ADAMEK (SLOVENIA)
“Bees are essential to both nature and human survival. Slovenians are aware of their incredible mission, which is why beekeeping has strong roots in our tradition. This might be the reason why we are among the top EU nations in terms of the number of beekeepers per capita, and the Carniolan honeybee that is primarily found in Slovenia, is one of the most widespread honeybee species worldwide. My aunt owns an ecological farm where she keeps bees. This is where the photo was captured. In our country, well-preserved natural environment offers good conditions for beekeeping. But every year, bees face challenges visiting flowers due to climate change. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and pollution are not helping them in any way either. It's important to remember that the planet has never been in peril. Only humanity and every other living thing on this planet. If you want to contribute to a change, acknowledge that our actions have no actual impact on the planet. Only on ourselves, the ecology we rely on and our food sources. Sacrifice is necessary to achieve this. By 'sacrifice' I mean letting go of everything that makes our lives convenient.”
TROUBLE-FREE TRAVELLING
BY NATALIA MOLENDA (POLAND)
“This photo was taken during a trip to Croatia. I took it because I believe that there is beauty all around us, we just need to see it, even in seemingly ordinary things. I am glad that I live in Europe and can visit its countries because it has beautiful architecture and landscapes. Each of us should appreciate the beauty near us.”
EUROPE MEANS TRAVELLING
BY KÄRT SOIEVA (ESTONIA)
“This photo was born quite unexpectedly. While visiting my mother, I noticed all of the magnets that we had brought as souvenirs from our travels. Coincidentally, among them there was also a magnet depicting the European Union flag. I realized that magnets are the perfect symbol to represent one of the important principles of the EU: freedom to travel. As a young student, I think that freedom to visit and even study in different countries might be one of the most noticeable ways the EU plays a role in our current lives. Thus, there was nothing left to do but to capture this idea in my photo.”
BREAD
BY ÁKOS KRIPKÓ (HUNGARY)
“The first thing I thought about when I heard about “Inspired by Europe” was – it is like a motto of the European Union, which is united in diversity. Somehow, I connected to that, that bread is very diverse. It comes in different types. Basically, it's a metaphor for Europe. That's it. Diversity. The photo was taken in my room. It was set up with ring lights, and I went to the farmer's supermarket, bought different kinds of bread and photographed them.”
