Sharjah Xposure Festival Concludes with Participation of 400 Photographers

The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)
The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)
TT

Sharjah Xposure Festival Concludes with Participation of 400 Photographers

The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)
The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)

The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. On display were more than 1,558 photos submitted by 400 photographers from Arab countries and beyond who captured diverse moments, experiences and aesthetics of people and landscapes alike worldwide.

This year’s edition saw a visual presentation by three international photographers. One is South African Brent Stirton, who captured with his lens scenes from 100 countries around the world and conveyed details about African cultures, endangered animal species and the dangers surrounding wildlife.

American Elia Locardi is another one of the stellar names in the field of photography to take part. Throughout his travels to 65 countries, he has captured countless distinct moments in his lens. His work has won him many awards and nominations.

The third, British photographer Giles Duley, is known for documenting conflicts and wars around the world. During the event, he spoke about his photography journey, starting from his work as a fashion photographer to working on battlefields, which led to him losing both legs and an arm after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan.

Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, said: “The organization of the International Festival of Photography honors every photographer who carries his camera to document an event, so that his image becomes the event itself. Every picture has a noble end.”

He added: “We wanted to say, through the images that were on display from everywhere, that we are bound by hope, and are confident of humankind's ability to overcome unprecedented challenges. When I saw the pictures, I felt as if they were saying that there's still beauty, splendor and life in the world.”

The festival included 54 exhibitions, 21 discussion sessions, 14 workshops presented by seven renowned international photographers, ten panel discussions and 14 technical evaluation sessions. The festival was held this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic with safety and prevention measures in place.



UK Travel Disrupted as Storm Bert Fallout Continues

Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
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UK Travel Disrupted as Storm Bert Fallout Continues

Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
Waves crash over the harbor arm caused by high winds from Storm Bert in Folkestone, Britain, November 24, 2024. (Reuters)

Britain's roads and railways were hit by closures on Monday after Storm Bert battered the country over the weekend, causing widespread flooding and killing four people.

There were more than 200 flood warnings and flood alerts in place across England and Wales, while trains from London to the southwest were cancelled and rail services in central England were severely disrupted.

"Do not attempt to travel on any route today," Great Western Railway, whose trains connect London to Bristol and Cornwall, said on X.

Among those killed during the storm were a dog walker in North Wales and a man who died when a tree hit his car in southern England.

Major roads in Northamptonshire and Bristol were closed, while fallen trees on rail lines cut off services between London and Stansted Airport, Britain's fourth busiest hub.

The disruption comes after Storm Bert hit Britain late on Friday, bringing snow, rain and strong winds.

The Met Office kept a warning for strong winds in place for northern Scotland on Monday and said the storm would clear from that part of the country early on Tuesday.