A stirring visual journey across the Western Balkans unfolded this summer as the WeBalkans Photo Contest launched its regional exhibition, “Ready. Steady. Our Europe!”, showcasing 18 standout photos selected from nearly 183 submissions by youth aged 18–29. The initiative, supported by the EU’s WeBalkans programme, unites creativity, sport, and regional connection.

Regional rollout of launch events

The journey began on 10 June at Europe House Belgrade, where WeBalkans Photo Exhibition Tour kicked off. Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, officially opened the exhibition alongside Teqball world champions Bogdan Marojević and Nikola Mitro, and FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup winner Nenad Nerandžić. Around 20 guests—media, youth, jury members—gathered in an intimate setting to celebrate the power of sport in visual storytelling.

On 8 July, the exhibition reached Europe House Podgorica, in a city where sport is part of everyday life. EU Media & Public Affairs Officer Paolo Londero led the launch, joined by celebrated Montenegrin water polo player Stefan Vidović. The event, attended by around 20 people, echoed the coastal country’s passion for aquatic sports and its growing creative scene.

The stop at Europe House Skopje on 15 July coincided with the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje and Kumanovo, infusing the launch with a spirit of competition and unity. Aleksandar Melamed, Team Leader for Communication and Press at the EU Delegation to North Macedonia, welcomed about 30 guests. The city’s vibrant summer atmosphere, coupled with the festival’s international presence, gave the photographs a well deserved spotlight.

In Europe House Tirana on 22 July, the exhibition found a home in Albania’s bustling capital. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato opened the event alongside athletics champion Klodiana Shala, symbolising perseverance and ambition—values mirrored in many of the displayed photographs. Around 20 attendees explored how sport can inspire both personal and societal change.

On 25 July, the exhibition took a dramatic turn, opening at the historic Gradina Fortress during the Maglaj Spirit Weekend. Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, inaugurated the event before around 50 guests. With handball star Emir Delić and volleyball player Ema Suljaković in attendance, the medieval setting provided a striking contrast to the modern images, making this stop a highlight of the tour.

The next stop of this leg was Europe House Pristina on 5 August, where EU Ambassador Aivo Orav welcomed guests. Volleyball champion Dea Maliqi and CrossFit athlete Gentiana Gashi added energy to the opening, attended by around 20 people. In Kosovo’s youthful and creative capital, the exhibition underscored the role of sport in building resilience and unity.

The final stop of the WeBalkans Photo Exhibition Tour will be Struga, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Ohrid, known for its poetry festival and rich cultural heritage. The exhibition arrives here as part of a series of cultural events marking the season. Against the backdrop of calm waters and historic bridges, the 18 photographs will be displayed in an open-air setting, inviting locals and tourists to connect with the stories they tell. In this setting, sport and art meet nature, closing the tour on a reflective yet celebratory note.

What’s Next?

After traveling through the Western Balkans, the WeBalkans Photo Exhibition continues its journey to Struga, North Macedonia, before concluding. Viewers across the region are invited to vote online, as a public vote is now underway via Instagram polls open through 12 August, with winners announced on 14 August. The six top-voted photographers will win inspirational trips to EU capitals.

The Webalkans Photo Exhibition underlined the potent synergy of youth creativity, sport, and regional solidarity. Through visual storytelling, it gives voice to young people’s perspectives on identity, ambition, and unity, demonstrating how simple images can bridge communities and celebrate shared European values.