You haven’t forgotten the events during December 2009, right? The demonstrations and riots, which followed after the murder of Alexandros Grigoropoulos became a reason for photo journalists to express their dynamic presence.

Yannis Kolesidis successfully caught the moment and shot a picture of the hand of a PASOK member, on which there was a trickle of blood. As a background to this, there were the protective shields of the Special Police Forces. This stunning photo brought to its owner the most prestigious photographer’s award, which is something like an “Oscar” in this field. And so, Yannis Kolesidis became the third Greek (after Yannis Behrakis in 2000 and Yannis Kondos in 2005), who was awarded for his work from the World Press Photo organization. This year 96 268 photos were competing of 5 508 photographers from 124 countries.

Mr. Kolesidis is also the first one to get the “Golden Eye” award by shooting an event in Greece. He received the golden plate last weekend in Amsterdam on an official ceremony, which was organized in the Chamber Musicgebu aan t’Ih. “I am very proud that I received this distinction. It is very important to me that I am among such great photographers and that my work was accepted by some of the toughest critics – colleagues and competition,” said for “Elefterios Tipos” newspaper the 36 year old Reuters employee Yannis Kolesidis.

The photo exhibition, which was awarded by World Press Photo comes tomorrow May 7^th, it will stay in Athens until May 29^th and it will be displayed at Elefterios Venizelos airport. After this, it will continue its world tour. During fall, on different exhibitions, Yannis Kolesidis will present his work, which connected to the missions “Doctors without border.” Those of you, who are impatient, can take a look at his website at http://www.yanniskolesidis.com.

The award for best photograph for 2008 went to the American Anthony Suau, whose topic was the different sides and appearances of the economic crisis in the US.