In the Portrait category, four photographers have been awarded : Valery Melnikov (Gold, single), Yin Yonghong (Silver, single), Vladimir Vyatkin (Gold, stories) and Qiu Yan (Silver, stories) :
Valery Melnikov (Gold, single): Young miners of Kenieba.
A few years ago the African country of Mali had a gold rush. Most of the gold miners come from the poorest corners of Mali, and from the northern regions of the country affected by the political and military crisis. Lack of work, rampant poverty and incredible stories of the lucky ones who have found large gold nuggets are pushing thousands of people to search for gold and a better life. About 20,000 children are emploeyd looking for gold in Mali according to Human Rights Watch. Every day new young miners come to Kenieba hoping to get rich or at least to avoid dying from hunger.
Yin Yonghong (Silver, single): Nepalese Children at Train Window.
Vladimir Vyatkin (Gold, stories) for Weightlifting: The Energy to Power On series
Qiu Yan (Silver, stories) : Centenarians Pose With Celebrities’ Waxwork series
