Award Ceremony Marks the Fifth “The Secrets of Grasslands” Photography Competition
The outstanding importance of Hungary’s grasslands – as highlighted by Bertalan Balczó, Deputy State Secretary responsible for nature conservation - is demonstrated by the fact that two thirds of the country’s protected plant species and around half of its animal species are associated with these habitats. “The Secrets of Grasslands” Photography Competition was organised for the 5th time with the aim of raising public awareness to ecological importance of grassland habitats.
In connection with the Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project, the host organisation Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd, and its project partners sought to draw attention to the beauty and diversity of grasslands, as well as to the people and the local, traditional ecological knowledge essential for their conservation.
Accordingly, the call invited submissions of landscape photographs and images depicting the pastoral way of life linked closely to these key ecosystems. Nearly six hundred entries were submitted, indicating strong public interest. Mr Kornél Füredi, Managing Director of Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd noted that alongside rural development, nature conservation is among our key responsibilities, and the institute supports initiatives that bring people closer to nature – in present case, to pastoral life. He added that many powerful and deeply moving works were submitted, and admired how the photographs take on a different character in printed form, creating a more engaging experience.
Mr Balczó emphasised Hungary’s responsibility for grassland conservation, noting that the saline and loess grasslands of the Pannonian region have disappeared or survive only in highly fragmented patches compared to their prior distribution. He further highlighted the outstanding role of grasslands in climate regulation: when in good ecological condition, their carbon sequestration capacity can rival that of forests. Despite this, the total area of grasslands has declined by approximately half over the past fifty years, he added.
Upon introducing the “pastoral life and shepherds’ knowledge” category, botanist and ethnoecologist Zsolt Molnár - Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences – highlighted how a strong photograph can tell a story. He also noted that when pursuing an authentic portrayal, the photographer can benefit from a personal discussion with its subject, the shepherd. Mr Molnár highlighted a photograph by Dénes Paragi that conveys the impacts of a drought-stricken period. As Molnár remarked, “the sheep is no longer grazing on grass, but on reeds — it is forced to do so.” The jury called attention to images documenting the gradual disappearance of pastoral knowledge and practice, such as a photo series capturing the last traditional livestock drive in Hajdúszoboszló.
Mr Sándor Barta, Kunmadaras-based master cattle herder (*számadó gulyás*) through his own life from childhood illustrated the many layers of traditional knowledge linked to grasslands. Together with Mr Molnár he presented photographs and provided insight to the practical skills of grazing management, the seasonal rhythm of pastoral work, and both the challenges and rewards of animal husbandry. Mr Barta recalled his mentors from whom he learned how to “read” the grassland — understanding its condition and responding to its changes — and explained how both people and animals adapt to the landscape. He also spoke about the issue of drying grasslands, the phenomenon livestock feeding on reeds, and in connection how grazing quality directly affects livestock health.
The event was especially timely, as the United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Through the photography competition, the organisers also aim to reflect to this global initiative by presenting the values of Hungarian grassland management and the living tradition preserved through the knowledge of shepherds.
Winners of the Fifth “The Secrets of Grasslands” Photography Competition
**Four Seasons Category**
1st Prize: Zsuzsa Kapcsándi – for the series In Spring Mist, Light Breaking Through, On an October Dawn, and Cold Mornings
**Pastoral Life and Shepherds’ Knowledge Category**
1st Prize: Boldizsár Jenei – Morning Departure
2nd Prize: Dénes Paragi – Fog Before Me…
3rd Prize: Lászlóné Sáfián – The Sheep Grazes on Foot
**Landscape Category**
1st Prize: Tibor Litauszki – Island in the Drought
2nd Prize: Tibor Litauszki – Salt Marsh Wanderer
3rd Prize: Irén Udvarházi – Sea of Feather Grass
**Audience Award**
Based on 5,565 likes received in the voting on the project’s official Facebook page, Morning Watering by Dóra Bercziné Megyei won the audience award with 585 votes.
Source: Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd