- 15,932 participants from 40 countries awarded this year
- “Child praying amongst the fire represents the voice of millions”
- Final award ceremony of IWPG’s 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition
The cry for peace from a Bangladesh teenager moved the hearts of everyone around the world. This girl’s drawing that depicted a child holding on to the hope of peace amidst the devastation of war was selected as the best drawing among 15,932 entries from 40 countries.
During the final award ceremony of the 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition held on November 29, International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) awarded Tasfiha Tahsin’s drawing, “The Cry for Peace,” the Grand Prize this year among 15,932 entries from 40 countries.
Ms. Tahsin’s drawing depicted humanity’s desperate cry for peace amongst the devastation of war. In the center, there is a child praying with closed eyes . Surrounding the child are tanks, missiles, and burning buildings, while the barbed wire and raising hands show the pain of countless victims in the crossfire. The white dove in the smoke, the eye with the peace symbol, the flags in the back, and the UN logo carries the message of hope. The word “please” scattered across the drawing captures the viewer’s eyes.
In her remarks, Ms. Tahsin said, “At first glance, [the drawing] is filled with chaos, fire, destruction, and overwhelming pain. But as you look deeper, you will see a silent prayer for peace emerging from despair. The child, praying even as everything burns, speaks for millions worldwide longing for safety and a life untamed by fear.”
She also said, “This child embodies countless innocent lives caught in the merciless grasp of fire. The word ‘please’ is the emotional essence of this artwork, a desperate cry to choose peace. [The] white dove in the smoke carries the message that the dream of peace never dies. [The] eye with a peace symbol signifies that we must see the world through the lens of peace. Let us rise above the sorrow, believe in humanity's potential for better days, and be the ones who choose peace and hope.”
The Gold Award-winning drawings also demonstrated desperate cries for peace. Kyan Viryadharma Yaphet (Division 1), from Tunas Muda Primary School in Indonesia, also said, “Peace is like a white dove soaring freely and hopefully in a sky painted with beautiful colors. Below it, children from different cultures hold hands and play together, showing that peace grows where there is mutual understanding and togetherness. Peace is also like a large kite. To ensure its string never breaks, let us all protect world peace with love, generosity, and a spirit of unity.”
Severine Abigail Budiyanto (Division 2), a student from Bogor Raya Junior High School also in Indonesia, drew the “Tree of Peace” that bridges all countries as one. She said, “[The tree] symbolizes that peace can be achieved through the unity of all nations. As the young generation, let us stand together in harmony and unity for the better future.”
Prince R.M.B. Ikan (Division 3) from Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo-Bailen Integrated School in the Philippines, conveyed a message of peace with a dove and people from different races holding hands. “Through simple images and calm colors, this drawing delivers a powerful message for all people to understand each other, not to fight, and to be united as one. Let’s all become messengers of peace,” he said.
Cyubahiro Alain Prince (Division 4) from Lycee De Kucukiro Apade in Rwanda said he spent the most time drawing the part where people are shaking hands. He explained, “(It is) because it shows understanding and friendship,” and added, “Each person in the drawing is doing something peaceful: greeting others, sharing, planting, or supporting peace.”
Mr. Soon-kyu Hwang, president of the Korea Green Fine Art Association and the head judge of this year’s competition, said, “The drawing by the student from Bangladesh was highly valued by the judges. Peace is like life, so we much teach it to the youth. When judging, I thought of how these students can contribute to world peace when they grow up.”
IWPG Chairwoman Na Yeong Jeon said, “Children gave answers that were both pure and remarkably clear, which is to respect others, love one another, and choose forgiveness over hatred. The children who learn the meaning of peace through art will become precious and steadfast seeds, spreading peace throughout their communities and regions. The children who have expressed world peace through art are the most beautiful artists and true heroes of peace in our time.
This year’s competition was held on the theme, “How can we practice peace and make it a reality in our daily lives?” One million KRW was given to the Grand Prize winner as a scholarship. The Gold Award, Silver Award, and Bronze Award also included a scholarship of 500,000 KRW, 300,000 KRW and 200,000 KRW respectively, and Honorable Mentions received a certificate. A total of 41 participants were awarded in the finals, and their drawings along with all the drawings that advanced to the finals will be featured in the competition art brochure. 1,000 people including awardees, parents, staff, and guests from all around the world joined the award competition.
IWPG Introduction
IWPG is an international women’s NGO registered in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Department of Global Communications (DGC). IWPG has 115 branches in 122 countries worldwide and works with approximately 800 partner organizations in 66 countries. Grounded in the value of “realizing sustainable world peace,” IWPG is actively building solidarity that the world needs, spreading peace culture, providing Peace Leadership Training and Education (PLTE), and advocating the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
