An exhibition of press photos zooming in on life during the new coronavirus pandemic began at a Seoul museum yesterday with participation of Qatar News Agency (QNA) and 46 news agencies from around the world.
The exhibition, titled “At the Scenes of the Pandemic,” features 120 photos taken by photographers of 47 news agencies around the world.
It is taking place at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in central Seoul until March 1, according to organisers.
The exhibition, co-hosted by the National Museum and Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s key newswire, is designed to share a message of hope and alliance amid a bleak situation.
The photos were curated into four themes: A Beginning Without an End; Control vs Freedom; World in Standstill, Contact-free is New Norm; and Co-operation, Togetherness.
The photos taken in 70 cities around the world — ranging from Prague to Marrakesh — portray how people are living and engaging in acts of care and devotion despite the risks of infection and death.
One photo, taken in the central South Korean city of Daegu, shows an exhausted health worker taking rest, while another photo, taken at a care home in the Spanish city of Valencia, shows an elderly mother and her son embracing through a plastic curtain.
The participants voiced hope that the exhibition would offer a message of hope during a bleak situation. “As we go through the photos, we are reminded of our responsibility to overcome the crisis and herald a post-corona era through coalition and co-operation of the entire world as a united community,” president and CEO of Yonhap News Agency, Cho Sung-boo said during the opening ceremony.
Chief of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Jeong Eun-kyeong, also voiced gratitude to everyone taking part in the anti-virus fight.
“Photos that capture truth have the power of empathy. The press photos not only depict the intensity of the scenes but also a message of hope that (asks us to) share pain and not lose courage,” Jeong said in a video message. “The KDCA will also strive to prevent and control (the virus) in a professional and systematic manner.”
Snapshots from the exhibition.
