The prize giving ceremony for the Shakespeare Lives Photo Competition will be held at the British Council on Friday 27 May 2016 at 09.30 a.m. Selected from 37 entries, three winners will be announced at the British Council main office in Rose Hill. The competition was organised by the British Council and the British High Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Tertiary Education and Scientific Research. The winning photos will be unveiled during the ceremony and members of the press/media are cordially invited to attend.
This photography competition was for students aged 18 or below. We invited them to consider a favourite quote from Shakespeare and to take a photo that elucidates the quote. The aim of the competition was to encourage young people to think critically about an element of Shakespeare’s works and to express their thinking creatively through photography. Our hope is that this modest competition will spark a desire in young people to further explore the work of one of history’s greatest literary figures.
The panel of judges consisted of the Director of the British Council in Mauritius, Mr Tris Bartlett, Mrs Erubee Pillay, Acting Director (Secondary Education & TVET Section) from the Ministry of Education and Sharon Taylor, the Deputy British High Commissioner. The judges were amazed at the variety, originality and creativity demonstrated by the 37 entries, ranging from stunning shots of scenery and wildlife, artistic portraits, classic architectural images to scenes of daily life.
Shakespeare Lives in Photography was an opportunity for young photographers to present Shakespeare's global influence in a modern and refreshing way. Mr Bartlett says: “2016 is being marked as the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. So far this year we have seen an extraordinary range of activities around the world, including new productions of Shakespeare’s plays in more than 50 countries and new publications on Shakespeare are emerging in myriad languages. In Mauritius we have welcomed the Globe’s Hamlet, witnessed Komiko’s unique interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, we’ve recorded citizen’s reciting Shakespearian quotes and May has seen a film festival attended by nearly 3,000 school children. It is great to see that Mauritius is embracing this celebration of the Bard’s life and work and is contributing so much to this global festival of culture. Shakespeare Lives in Photography shows to me that Shakespeare’s legacy is in great hands with the young people of Mauritius”
Winning photographers will each receive a gift voucher from Mikado and a set of post cards of the winner’s artworks. The winning entries will also be framed and displayed on the walls of the British Council in Rose Hill.