Landtag am Sonntag geöffnet – mit den besten Pressebildern des Jahres, Smartphone-Tour und einem Blick hinter die Kulissen

In the organizer's words:

The state parliament in Düsseldorf will open its doors to visitors next Sunday, 15 December 2024, and present an exciting look back at the year with the best images from 2024. 31 photos from the "NRW Press Photo" journalism prize are on display in parliament - with images from across the state: fans at the European Football Championship, demonstrations by farmers and the Northern Lights. In addition, there are the winning pictures with motifs from the war in Ukraine, mourning after the attack in Solingen and demonstrations for democracy.

Visitors can visit the state parliament from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. without prior registration and experience democracy and architecture on the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf - spontaneously and free of charge. The latest work "Spiegelbild" by world-famous artist Gerhard Richter will also be on display. Guided tours and a smartphone tour show the plenary chamber, the committee rooms and the presidents' gallery.

"The state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia invites you to experience politics where it is made: In the heart of our federal state's democracy. To this end, we are showing the powerful images of a moving year. The NRW Press Photo offers the only review of the year in professional press photos in North Rhine-Westphalia. I cordially invite the citizens to view the exhibition in the state parliament and look back on the year: on the beautiful and sad moments, on the sporting highlights of the summer and pictures from all regions of North Rhine-Westphalia," says André Kuper, President of the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The winning image of the NRW Press Photo of the Year focuses on Russia's war against Ukraine: it shows an emotional farewell between two young people: He stays in the war zone, she goes back to North Rhine-Westphalia. The photo "Lena and Ivan - farewell at the bus station" was taken by Fabian Ritter for "Der Spiegel".

Second place went to a photo by Christopher Neundorf. He photographed a man mourning after the terrorist attack in Solingen for the European Press Agency. Third place went to a photo by Kerstin Kokoska. She photographed a demonstration for democracy in Essen for the WAZ newspaper. There were many entries for the special prize "Sportland Nordrhein-Westfalen". Jürgen Fromme received it for his artistic snapshot of the opening game of the European Handball Championship in Düsseldorf.

The young talent award was decided by the public: more than 850 votes were cast and a clear majority voted for the photo of a major fire taken by Daniel Schröder for the Soester Anzeiger.

André Kuper, President of the state parliament, launched the NRW Press Photo six years ago. With the support of the Art, Culture and Social Foundation of Sparda-Bank West, prize money totaling 22,000 euros was awarded.