Athens Photo World 2026: A Global Showcase of Photojournalism in the Greek Capital
Athens, February 25 – The Athens Photo World (APW) festival is set to captivate audiences for its eighth consecutive year, transforming the Greek capital into a vibrant hub for contemporary photojournalism. From February 28 to March 12, 2026, the festival will host a series of exhibitions, masterclasses, and award ceremonies, drawing tens of thousands of visitors who seek to engage with the power of visual storytelling.
Since its inception in 2019, APW has established itself as a cornerstone for modern photography in Greece. Its central mission remains to connect residents and visitors with the impactful work of acclaimed photojournalists from around the globe, fostering a deeper understanding of the world through their lenses.
Sir Don McCullin Exhibition: ‘Life, Death and Everything in Between’
A highlight of this year’s festival is the exclusive Greek premiere of ‘Life, Death and Everything in Between,’ an exhibition featuring the legendary war photojournalist Sir Don McCullin. Presented in collaboration with the Xposure International Photography Festival, this exhibition pays homage to one of the greatest living photographers, whose work spans over five decades of documenting war, poverty, and human suffering with profound compassion and dedication.
Sir Don McCullin, a witness to history from the East End of London to battlefields in Vietnam, Cambodia, Lebanon, and Biafra, consistently returned to conflict zones, driven not by a desire for danger but by a deep sense of responsibility. The exhibition will be held at the Old Furnaces, with free admission from February 28 to March 12, 2026. Opening hours are 10:00 to 22:00, with a shorter schedule on the final day (10:00 to 15:00).
On Saturday, February 28, at 19:00, Sir Don McCullin will engage in a dialogue with Christina Kalligianni, APW’s General Coordinator, followed by the exhibition’s grand opening at 20:30.
Masterclass with Enri Canaj and Digital Projections
On Sunday, March 1, the festival will offer a unique opportunity for aspiring Greek photojournalists. APW, in collaboration with Enri Canaj of Magnum Photos, will host a masterclass at Gasworks 1, “Miltiadis Evert” Amphitheater, Technopolis City of Athens. Fourteen free spots have been allocated to young photographers, providing an invaluable educational experience. Enri Canaj will present the masterclass from 18:00 to 18:30.
Following the masterclass, a series of digital projections curated by photographer Yiannis Kolesidis will showcase the dynamic landscape of contemporary documentary photography. A 45-minute slide-show will be followed by a discussion with the audience and the creators. Featured photojournalists include:
- Alexandros Avramidis / Reuters: ‘The Wrath of Nature’ – Exploring the devastating impact of human disregard for nature.
- Maro Kouri: ‘Small Homelands of Our Diversity’ – A portrayal of Athens as a melting pot of cultures and memories.
- Stelios Misinas / Reuters: ‘Beneath the Surface’ – Highlighting the unseen pollution destroying marine ecosystems.
- Socrates Baltagiannis: ‘The Athenians’ – A journey through the city’s streets, revealing the multifaceted character of its inhabitants.
- Kostas Tsironis: ‘Musical School of Meronas’ – Documenting the traditional Cretan music school.
- Nikos Chatzipolitis: ‘Free Time in Context’ – Focusing on the regulated free time of minors in a detention facility.
Sports Photography Award 2026 and APW Awards
APW expands its scope with the inauguration of the Sports Photography Award 2026, offering a prize of 1,500 euros to the winner. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are Alex Grymanis, Nikolaos Zangas, and Michalis Themelis. The award ceremony will be conducted by photojournalist Aristotelis Sarrikostas. Angelos Zymaras, a sports photographer and professor, lauded the finalists for their ability to combine clear composition, excellent timing, and a strong sense of movement.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Athens Photo World competition continues its commitment to supporting contemporary photojournalism and documentary photography. A total of 6,000 euros will be awarded across three categories for completed or ongoing documentary or photojournalism projects from 2025: First Prize (3,000 euros), Second Prize (2,000 euros), and Third Prize (1,000 euros).
The judging panel for 2025, comprising photographers Thomas Daskalakis, Nikos Palaiologos, and Olga Stefanou, emphasized the importance of photographic language, thematic relevance, and originality. Notably, this year marks the first time a female photographer is among the finalists. The finalists are Eleni Albaroza, Angelos Tzortzinis, and Nikos Chatzipolitis. The First Prize will be presented by the Mayor of Athens along with Sir Don McCullin.
APW & XPOSURE Collaboration and Outdoor Exhibition
Athens gained international recognition as the Xposure International Photography Festival honored a city for the first time, selecting the Greek capital as the Honored City for 2026. This collaboration saw five exhibitions by leading Greek photographers from Athens Photo World showcased in Sharjah from January 29 to February 4, 2026, highlighting Athens’ dynamic creative identity on a global stage.
Looking ahead to Summer 2026, APW will present its largest outdoor exhibition, “FIFA World Cup 1930 – 2026,” from May 24 to July 31, at the National Garden. This exhibition, featuring the historical photographic archive of the Associated Press, will trace the evolution of the FIFA World Cup from its inaugural event in 1930 to the upcoming 2026 tournament across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the seventh outdoor exhibition organized by APW in the National Garden, offering thousands of visitors a rich photographic documentation in a central location of the capital.
Organizing Team APW 2026
The organizing team for APW 2026 includes Thanasis Stavrakis (AP Chief Photographer for Greece, Cyprus, Albania, North Macedonia) as Artistic Director, Yiannis Kolesidis (Photographer APE/EPA) as Curator & Coordinator of Digital Projections, and Christina Kalligianni (Photographer, PhD Panteion University).
Source: https://www.documentonews.gr/article/athens-photo-world-2026-to-programma-ton-ekdiloseon-tou-festival/
