Cultures on my Street photo competition 2008

Press Release:

The Europe-wide Cultures on my street photo competition was launched today in the UK as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. The competition, which is open to people of all ages, asks residents from the UK and across Europe to capture the images they think best represent inter-cultural dialogue.

The main prizes are valued to be worth 15,000 Euro and include top-of-the-range photography equipment and trips to European capital cities. A special website has been set up,, where images can be uploaded until 30th June 2008, the competition deadline.

The topic of inter-cultural dialogue is broad and can cover many different aspects of everyday life. Inspiration for photos is expected to come from themes as diverse as education, religion, science, the arts, culture, the world of work, migration, minority groups, and youth.

Commenting on the launch of the competition, Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education, Training, Youth and Culture, said: "Diversity in Europe is a fact and Europeans are interacting with more and more people from different cultural backgrounds. With this photo competition the European Union encourages everyone living in Europe to show their view of dialogue and diversity. We want to see what intercultural dialogue means to Europeans today and how they experience it in their everyday lives."

Format, selection process and prizes
Photos may be edited in any way using graphic design software if the participant so chooses.

Four winners in total will be selected from the submissions received from across Europe. Three will be chosen by a jury of established artists and leading figures on intercultural issues, who will look for creativity and technical quality as well as the photographer's ability to portray the theme of intercultural dialogue. The fourth winner will be chosen by the general public, selected through an online vote by visitors to the competition website.

The four winners will be presented with their prizes at a ceremony in Brussels in September. The winning and short-listed photos will also feature in travelling exhibitions and promotional posters and booklets for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

For full details and more information on how to enter the Cultures on my street competition, please visit the website.