The World Press Photo Exhibition was first organised in 1955 by Dutch photographers.
The initiative has developed significantly since then, with a presence in 120 cities around the world. More recently, the number of venues almost halved due to the negative effects of the epidemic, but this year people can view the best press photos again across 80-90 locations.
The project is especially popular in Hungary, with nearly 45,000 visitors a year. For 2021, 4,315 photographers from 130 countries entered 74,470 images for the jury to select for the competition. Photos may not be manipulated.
At the National Museum, a total of
151 photos are on display, mostly grouped around three major themes. These
topics are Covid, Social Resistance & Demonstrations and Climate Change. Epidemics and repression cast a long shadow over everyone, even if they may not have a direct impact
on your daily life at the moment.
A seal swimming with a mask in front of him, family members meeting in protective clothes, or the contradictions in American gun control all represent feelings and problems relevant to this part of Europe.
Palestinian security detainees and the tragedy of the Azeri-Armenian conflict also feature.
Yet human optimism and survival ingenuity also shines through images where an old athlete trains at home during lockdown or a Dutch family befriends pigeons.
Photo paradox
The most exciting paradox of the exhibition in each case is that the random and experienced eyes of photographers are able to create high-quality compositions from even the most horrific events and problems.
Alongside the main exhibition, Szeben Műhely is also presented, a workshop that allows up-and-coming photographers to experiment and to exchange opinions. This interesting selection of photos is the result.
Exhibition information
World Press Photo Exhibition
Hungarian National Museum
1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 14-16
Open: Until 31 October Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
