World Press Photo 2018 arrives in Mexico City

Starting Friday , from 27 July to 23 September , the Franz Mayer Museum will host the World Press Photo exhibition , the most famous photojournalism contest in the world, featuring 137 winning photos from eight categories , showing the most relevant events of 2017 .

The contest was organized by the World Press Photo foundation and it had the participation of 4,548 photographers from 125 countries , who sent a total of 73,044 images . The winning photo was taken by Ronaldo Schemidt, entitled “ The Crisis in Venezuela ,” with which the photographer also won the “ Spot News ” category.

The image shows José Víctor Salazar Balza engulfed in flames after having a gas tank thrown onto him from a motorbike as he runs in the middle of violent clashes between civilians and police forces during a protest against Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro . Salazar survived the incident, though he suffered first and second-degree burns.

For the contest’s 61st edition , the Jury, comprised of 17 image professionals , gave awards to a total of 42 photographers from 22 countries , including Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela .

The World Press Photo is an independent non-profit organization based in Amsterdam . Since 1955 , it has rewarded the best of the world’s photojournalism in eight categories: Contemporary Issues, Environment, General News, Long-Term Projects, Nature, People, Sports, and Spot News .

World Press Photo curator, Babette Warendorf , urged local authorities to take action and stop violence against journalists in Mexico shortly after the murder of Rubén Pat Cauich in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo .

The Franz Mayer museum will offer a programme of educational activities, featuring conferences with Babette Warendorf and Rolando Schemidt, winner of the World Press Photo 18 award. There will also be a film series, guided tours, and a photography workshop.

Mexican journalist Ruben Pat murdered in Playa del Carmen

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