Kukerlandia 2025
About Kukerlandia 2025
A specific feature of the Kukerlandia photo contest theme is that only photos of the Kukeri custom in Bulgaria are accepted. Authors from all over the world can participate in the contest, but the photos must be of Bulgarian Kukeri.
The photographer must know the custom and capture its observance. Specifics such as women are not being allowed to be groomsmen, as well as very young children, are an important part of the custom.
In 2025, a total of 412 photos were submitted to the Kukerlandia competition, and a prestigious five-member jury selected 40 photos for the second round. The photographs are printed, arranged and sorted in a salon, after which the jury committee on site performs the final evaluation of the photos from these 40 photos and determines the awarded photos.
The opening of the “Kukerlandia” Exhibition and the award ceremony took place in the midst of the Kuker festival in the city.
During the Kuker festival, two more photography events were held. On the eve of Kukerlandia, a solo photography exhibition by a master of photography was opened. In 2025, an exhibition by landscape photographer Hristo Svinarov was opened.
The other event is a meeting of the Yambol audience with the guests from the jury, who present part of their work through a projection.
In 2025, the jury of “Kukerlandia” was:
Eng. Borislav Milovanovic, Serbia, EFIAP/D3, ESFIAP, MDIPA, MPSA and GPU
CR4 – Chairman of the jury
A photographer with over forty years of practice, numerous solo exhibitions, hundreds of participations in international exhibitions, having been awarded with over 800 awards, has been a jury member for over 300 exhibitions around the world.
Friend of the Bulgarian photography community and Kukerlandia.
Founder and President of the Danube International Photographic Association (DIPA).
Borislav Milovanovic is a partner of the International Photography Competition “Kukerlandia” for the third consecutive year.
Vladimir Jovanovski, North Macedonia MPSA, GPU HERMES, RISF5, M IAAP –
Vice President of the Jury
More than thirty years in photography and numerous participations in exhibitions in his homeland and around the world. He has exhibited his works in over 40 countries and as a result, has received over 100 awards and diplomas.
He was named one of the 100 most influential photographers in the world by the Photographic Society of Macau. In 2018, he received the Best World Photographer award from the SSS in Turkey. He is also the director of the Malin Photo Festival, an honorary member of Image Sans Frontier, Image Colleague Society, and Kragujevac Photo Club.
He is the PSA, GPU and ISF representative for the Republic of North Macedonia and the current president of the IAAP.
Gabriel Lorello, Brazil – Member
Photojournalist with experience in shooting carnivals, ethnographic events, and sports. The founder of the photography agency in his homeland. He photographed the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2007 and the World Cup final in Brazil in 2014.
Yavor Michev, Bulgaria EFIAP
A memorable photographer with a variety of themes and motifs, but especially prominent in Aerial Photography.
Author of 12 solo exhibitions and many joint ones. Participated in dozens of international competitions in over 20 countries.
Pritezhatel na prestizhni nagradi ot Bŭlgariya i chuzhbina. Nositel na nagradata za Bŭlgariya na Sony – 2019 g.
Poluchava Nagrada Ruse – 2020g.
Nositel na Natsionalnata nagrada za fotografsko izkustvo „Anastas Karastoyanov“ za
2023 g.
Holder of prestigious awards from Bulgaria and abroad. Winner of the
Sony Bulgaria Award – 2019
Receives the Ruse Award – 2020
Winner of the National Award for Photographic Art “Anastas Karastoyanov” for 2023
Konstantin Zaikov, Bulgaria EPSA, EFIAP/b, V IAAP, ADIPA/s
He graduated from Tourism at the “Assen Zlatarov” University and Creative Photography at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at the “Kliment Ohridski” Sofia University.
Creator and founder of the International Photography Competition “Kukerlandia” 20 years ago. Co-founder of the Yambol Photographic Community. Member of the “Yanka Kyurkchieva” Photography Academy. Representative for Bulgaria of PSA and IAAP.
Author of seven solo photography exhibitions in Bulgaria and numerous joint participations in over 200 international salons and exhibitions in 89 countries around the world, winner of dozens of awards.
International judge in prestigious photography competitions.
