Gay Pride Picture Selected by International Prize

Couple targeted in anti-gay violence wait for medical help - Zsolt Szigetváry, Hungary, MTI.

A picture taken by Hungarian photographer Zsolt Szigetváry and representing a couple victim of a homophobic attack has been recognised in an international photographic prize. The powerful picture was taken during the 12th Budapest Pride which took place on 7 July 2007.

The march brought together 2000 people who were targeted by about 100 skinheads from a right wing organisation. The police was quickly overcome and only 8 people were arrested while several dozen demonstrators got injured. The attacks were later condemned by the Mayor of the city (read more here).

The international jury of the 51st annual World Press Photo Contest awarded Szigetváry the second prize in the "Contemporary Issues" category. The title of World Press Photo of the Year 2007 was awarded to the work of UK photographer Tim Hetherington.

This year, a record number of participants from 125 countries sent in their work, a total of 5,019 photographers, which is an increase of 12.5% compared to 2007. The total number of images submitted was 80,536. The jury gave prizes in 10 theme categories to 59 photographers of 23 nationalities.

The awards ceremony is preceded by a three-day program of lectures, discussions and screenings of photography. The exhibition of prizewinners will be shown at the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam between 29 April and 22 June and will subsequently visit over 100 locations around the world. For a provisional exhibition schedule see: www.worldpressphoto.org/exhibitions.