The NEAR Secretariat announced the 200 winners of the 11st  NEAR Youth Art Contest on November 15 after the strict review process of external examiners from the Korean Art Association, Pohang Branch.

This year the art contest was themed, “What Our Festivals Tell Us about Northeast Asia.”

As many as 827 submissions, some large number of of artworks were submitted by 34 NEAR regional governments of five countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Russia.

As a result, the first prize went to “Mongolian Festivals Captured by Camera” drawn by OTGONBAYAR Battogtokh from Uvurkhangai Aimag, Mongolia.

It was evaluated that the work was in accordance with the theme and outstanding in symbolism and creativity in terms of organization.

In addition, second prizes went to “Festive Atmosphere During the Chinese New Year” drawn by CHEN Zixuan from Hunan Province, China; “Journey to Northeast Asia” drawn by LEI Mengya from Henan Province, China; “Northeast Asia Tourism Conference Welcomes you” drawn by SHI Yueyang from Heilongjiang Province, China; “Jinju Oil Lamp Festival” drawn by SEO Min Kyung from Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea; “If Spain has bull fighting, Korea has Sossaum” drawn by CHOI Yu Eun from Jeollabuk-do Province, Korea; “Chinese Festival” drawn by NARANDAVAA Nomingoo from Uvs Aimag, Mongolia; “Eagle Festival” drawn by BAYANBILEG Bolortungalag; “Traditional Maslenitas Celebration in Russia” drawn by GABIDULINA Anastasia from Tomsk Region, Russia; “Putting Wreaths on the Feast of Ivan Kupala” drawn by ALIMOVA Anastasia from Tomsk Region, Russia; “Dragon at the Lantern Festival” drawn by SAFONOVA Anastasia from Tomsk Region, Russia. Then, participating prizes went to 20 winners, including “Wonderful Festival” drawn by MORIKAWA Manaka from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Moreover, Special Recognition Awards went to 169 winners, including “The Beauty of Korea” drawn by SIN Yu Geun, a student at Yeongju High School, located in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korea.

The NEAR Secretariat will send out certificates of awards and special gifts to the awardees and certificates of participation to all participants.