UNEP ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN WINNER OF
24th INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN`S PAINTING COMPETITION
Evdokia Bogacheva, aged 12 from Ukraine,
wins first prize for the European Region
Geneva, 1 September 2015 – This year’s International Children’s Painting Competition
theme “We have the power!,” in support of the UN decade of Sustainable Energy for All,
inspired many young talented artists aged 9 to 14 from all over the world to submit
paintings that depict our energy future. Evdokia Bogacheva, aged 12 from Ukraine, won
the competition for the European Region because of the originality of her painting, its
overall impression and its clarity in interpreting the theme of sustainable energy.
Renewable sources of energy such as biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar,
hydrogen and the ocean - all of which are represented in the winning painting - are part
of the transition that must inevitably move our economy away from the current heavy
reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, which are finite and contribute to
climate change. This year’s winning painting for the European region therefore conveys
one of the best ways we can all move to ‘green’ our economy.
Evdokia, who has been studying at an arts school since the age of seven, says that she
was greatly inspired by the military conflict in her home country of Ukraine. “People in
some areas have difficulties with power supply, heating and water supply. I am very
distressed by the troubles people of my country encounter. And it is very bad that people
must suffer instead of using the natural resources for peaceful purposes.”
The theme of the competition and a growing interest in
energy issues led her to seek more information on
different energy sources. “From Internet, books and
TV, I have learned that electrical power can be
generated by wind, water and plants, the Earth's
interior can produce heat, and geysers and volcanoes
can serve as energy sources.”
All of this newly acquired knowledge can be seen in her
very colourful painting, which displays her remarkable
talent and creativity. “Once I started this painting, I
could not stop because I wanted to express my feelings
and thoughts through the beauty of these elements. I
tried to show in my painting the kinds of energies that
could give a new clean pulse to humanity, and allow wild animals to live in a clean
environment, so that we may see them not only as illustrations in books.”
When she isn’t making art, Evdokia says that each day she tries her best to preserve the
environment. “My friends and I try to keep the yard of our house where we play clean,
place plastic items into containers for special recycling, and clean parks. In winter, when
birds and squirrels can't find food, my Mum and I make feed boxes for them. Also, we
have a rule in our family to sort the waste. While this may appear to be a small gesture,
if everybody were to do a bit life will be much cleaner.”
Jan Dusik, Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Europe, was impressed: “The winning
painting not only speaks to the use of diverse renewable energy sources, but is
spreading a positive energy, so much needed to address the current environmental
challenges and to ensure a sustainable future for people around the world.”
As the regional winner for Europe, Evdokia will receive a $1000 prize, and her painting
will compete with other paintings from around the world for the global prize later this
year.
About the International Children`s Painting Competition (ICPC)
The International Children’s Painting Competition is organised every year by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Foundation for Global Peace and
Environment . It has been held since 1991 and received more than 3 million entries from
children in over 100 countries. The goal of the competition is to inspire people all over
the world to see environmental issues through the eyes of children and increase
environmental awareness and action among children.
For more information, please:
Consult the UNEP website: http://www.unep.org/
Or contact: Isabelle Valentiny, UNEP Regional Office for Europe
Tel. +41 22 917 84 04 or E-mail: isabelle.valentiny@unep.org
Follow us on twitter: @UNEPinEurope