REGULATIONS
1. Organizer:
- The photo contest “The Latvian – Nature. Soul. Heartfelt.” (hereinafter – the Contest) is organized by the Latvian Representation in the United Kingdom, registered charity no. 1206692 (hereinafter – LPAK).
2. Contest objectives:
2.1. As part of the ELKS III 2025 event in Bradford, United Kingdom, to involve professional and amateur photographers in the campaign “The Latvian – Nature. Soul. Heartfelt.”
2.2. To carry out the selection of artistically high-quality photographs under the theme “The Latvian – Nature. Soul. Heartfelt.” with the goal of creating a virtual photo exhibition, which will be launched on July 17, 2025, during the ELKS III event in Bradford, United Kingdom, in honor of the Latvian diaspora in the United Kingdom (hereinafter – the Exhibition).
2.3. To promote the positive visibility of Latvians around the world through the use of the best photographs in diaspora marketing activities – for website and social media visuals, etc.
2.4. The Contest consists of four thematic categories: “Nature,” “Soul,” “Heartfelt,” and “People.”
Each submitted photograph will be evaluated in the appropriate category, based on its content and thematic relevance. Participants may submit one entry per category.
3. Contest timeline:
Applications will be accepted from July 2, 2025 to July 12, 2025.
The Contest winners will be announced, and the best entries displayed in a virtual photo exhibition during the ELKS III event in Bradford, United Kingdom, on July 17, 2025, and also published on the LPAK website and social media.
4. Contest participants:
4.1. Any person may participate in the Contest, regardless of photography skills or experience, by submitting an application in accordance with the Contest regulations (hereinafter – Participant).
5. Theme of submitted photographs
5.1. Photographs must be taken in the territory of the United Kingdom or Latvia.
5.1.1.1. The photographs may depict various aspects of Latvian life that reflect closeness to nature, a soulful atmosphere, and heartfelt elements. These may include:
- portraits of people (e.g., Latvians in action, emotions, traditions),
- landscapes and seasonal transitions,
- celebrations and community events (festivals, sports competitions, clean-up events, etc.),
- scenes from everyday life (farm work, walks in nature, household life, handicrafts),
- moments showing a Latvian’s connection to nature, spirituality, and cultural values.
5.1.1.2. In every photograph, regardless of the depicted subject, there must be a visible symbol or element of Latvian identity, expressing a connection to the Latvian, Latvian nature, soul, or heartfelt values.
This may be one of Latvia’s official symbols – the flag, the coat of arms, or the national anthem as a symbolic reference – or national emblems, such as:
- white wagtail – Latvia’s national bird,
- two-spotted ladybird – the national insect,
- daisy, linden tree, oak, amber,
- the Midsummer (Jāņi) celebration as a living tradition.
Also considered Latvian symbols are unofficial but deeply meaningful elements – traditional patterns, ancient symbols, Latvian jewelry, ethnographic fabrics, rural homesteads, ancient crafts, birch groves, or mist over a meadow – anything that expresses a Latvian feeling.
Each photo submission must indicate what the Latvian symbol or element is in the photograph and how it connects to Latvia, its traditions, or the author’s personal feeling of Latvian identity.
5.1.1.3. The Latvian symbol or element in the photograph may be in the foreground or as a nuanced, symbolic presence that permeates the image with a Latvian feeling – the breath of nature, a soulful mood, and heartfelt values.
It does not have to be in the center or in focus – the meaning and significance in the image are what matters. Symbols may be clearly visible or subtle context elements, for example:
- a small Latvian flag in a bouquet or on a mast in the background,
- ribbon in national colors, amber jewelry, or ethnographic fabric,
- a detail of folk costume, a woven belt, patterned socks, or a flower crown,
- traditional patterns, folk costumes, handcrafted items (knitting, weaving, ceramics, etc.),
- a Midsummer bonfire, folk songs sung in nature, or simply holding a daisy.
Latvian identity may also be conveyed through setting, light, or mood – through how Latvian nature, soul, and spirit are felt in the photograph.
Creativity is key – each author has the opportunity to express their personal connection to Latvia. Therefore, it is important that each submission includes a short description of the depicted symbol or element and its relation to Latvian identity.
6. Application and submission:
6.1. The Contest application consists of a completed application form and photograph(s), submitted electronically via the ELKS III website – Latvian Representation in the United Kingdom – by July 12, 2025, at 24:00.
6.2. One Contest participant may submit a maximum of one photograph per category. (1. Nature 2. Soul 3. Heartfelt 4. People)
6.3. The minimum dimensions for submitted photographs are as follows:
6.3.1. Aspect ratio 4:3 – minimum resolution 1587(px) x 1191(px) (72 ppi);
6.3.2. Aspect ratio 3:2 – minimum resolution 1786(px) x 1191(px) (72 ppi).
6.4. After the selection of the best photographs, the Contest organizer will contact selected applicants and arrange to receive high-resolution digital files suitable for large-format printing, if necessary.
6.5. Photographs must not be created using artificial intelligence.
6.6. Applications that do not meet the Contest rules will not be considered.
6.7. Contact for Contest-related inquiries – elks3info@latviesiem.org.uk
7. Rights to use photographs
7.1. By participating in the Contest, the Participant confirms that they are the author of the submitted photographs.
7.2. By participating, the Participant agrees that:
7.2.1. The submitted photographs and their digital files will remain the property of the Contest organizer;
7.2.2. The Contest organizer obtains free usage rights for the photographs;
7.2.3. The Contest organizer may use the photographs to promote LPAK and the Latvian diaspora.
7.3. The Participant is responsible for obtaining permission from individuals appearing in the photographs and for any potential third-party claims regarding their publication.
7.4. By entering the Contest, the Participant agrees to all terms and conditions in these regulations.
8. Evaluation of applications:
8.1. The submitted photographs will be evaluated by a jury appointed by LPAK (hereinafter – the Jury), and professional photographers or artists may be invited.
8.2. The Jury will assess the photographs based on the following criteria:
| No. | Evaluation criteria | Maximum points |
| 1. | Relevance to the contest and category theme | 10 |
| 2. | Artistic quality of the photograph | 10 |
| 3. | Original and successful representation of Latvian identity | 10 |
| Total | 30 |
8.3. Selected photographs will be presented in the virtual photo exhibition at ELKS III Bradford, United Kingdom – “The Latvian – Nature. Soul. Heartfelt.”
8.4. Photographs meeting the Contest requirements will be published on LPAK social media and put to a public vote to determine one Viewer’s Choice Award winner. This winner may also be one of the 1st to 3rd place Contest winners.
8.5. The winners of each Contest category will be determined by jury voting, from the photographs selected for presentation.
8.6. Additionally, the Jury may award the following special prizes:
- Jury’s Favorite Award – for a photograph that emotionally or visually stood out to the jury, regardless of the total score.
- Most Creative Interpretation Award – for an unusual or artistically bold approach to the theme.
- Story Behind the Shot Award – for the most heartfelt or original written description and emotional connection to the photo.
9. Contest winners and prizes:
9.1. One winner will be awarded in each of the four thematic categories: “Nature,” “Soul,” “Heartfelt,” and “People” – based on the highest score by the Jury.
9.1.1. Each category winner will receive a Certificate of Recognition and prizes from LPAK supporters.
9.1.2. Participants whose photos are selected for presentation will receive prizes from LPAK supporters.
9.2. The Viewer’s Choice Award winner will receive a special prize from one of the Latvian diaspora businesses.
9.3. Special award winners (Jury’s Favorite, Most Creative Interpretation, Story Behind the Shot) will receive Certificates of Recognition and symbolic prizes, and will be featured in the Contest communication.
9.4. Contest results will be published on www.latviesiem.org.uk, and on LPAK and ELKS social media.
9.5. Members of the LPAK board, jury, and their family members may not participate in the Contest.