Serbia has entered the European Year of Cultural Heritage with a cultural calendar packed with engaging events, activities, and projects. Among the nation-wide initiatives dedicated to the celebrations, Serbia’s EU Info Centre has announced a heritage-inspired photo contest aimed to encourage heritage storytelling and experience sharing.

The contest is dedicated to the celebratory theme of Sharing Heritage and is open to all Serbian citizens aged sixteen and over. Both professional and amateur photographers are welcome to take a selfie with their favourite heritage site or object, send it to the EU Info Centre, and become part of the pan-European celebrations.

Three most creative selfies will be awarded with shopping vouchers, while additional 17 photos will be selected for a special exhibition at EU Info Centre in Belgrade.  

The contest was launched on 16 April and closes on 21 May, when the jury comprised of Serbia EU centre representatives will start evaluating the photos. The winners will be contacted shortly after the closing date and the prizes will be delivered on 31 May.

How to Get Involved

The principal criteria for the selection of winning selfies include creativity and originality in the choice of theme and heritage site or object of focus.

The photos can feature any heritage site or object from anywhere in Europe, or present intangible heritage, traditions or natural landscapes. The participants are welcome to capture specific arts and crafts, as well as people and places that represent Serbian or European cultural treasure.

Those who post more than one selfie stand a greater chance of winning, and the steps to get involved are as follows:  

  • Follow @euicbg on Instagram
  • Think about the most creative way to represent your heritage (take a photo of the reflection of the site in your sunglasses, include your family, friends, or pets to the photo, etc.)
  • Post the selfie to your Instagram account, which must be set to public
  • Add a short text about the photo and what is represented on it
  • Include #EvropaZaKulturu and #EuropeForCulture tags
  • Tag @euicbg on the photo

After a two-day selection process, the jury will be contacting the winners between 23 and 28 May. For more details about the rules, prizes, and deadlines, visit the EU Info Center Page.

For everyone fascinated by a historic or cultural place near them, this contest might be a great opportunity to tell Europe about it. This and similar initiatives within European Heritage Makers Week or European Heritage Stories will enable thousands of people to expand the map of Europe’s cultural heritage and make a difference for their environment.

Photo credits: euinfo.rs