International Artistic Competition
The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt: Classical and Contemporary Visual Approaches
Inviting artists from all over the world
to participate in a contemporary artistic dialogue inspired by one of the most sacred and universal journeys in human history.
Regulations How to participateOpen call for international artists
The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) hereby announces its Second International Visual Arts Competition, entitled: “The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt: Classical and Contemporary Visual Approaches.
The competition aims to bring to light artistic interpretations of the Sacred Journey, which—whether situated within or beyond its specific historical and geographical context—approach both the spiritual dimensions and the timeless, profoundly human aspects of this event.
Within the framework of the competition, works may be submitted that either directly depict the event itself or, based on the central theme, highlight the concepts of family, motherhood, and childhood, the need for the protection of children, as well as issues of hospitality, the protection of strangers, and respect for otherness.
General information
The Holy Family’s Flight into Egypt represents a pivotal event in Christian history and a profound symbol of refuge, faith, and divine protection. Beyond being an escape from danger, the journey embodies hope, hospitality, and the spiritual bond between Egypt and the Holy Family
The Holy Family Route in Egypt is regarded as the oldest and longest pilgrimage route in the world, extending approximately 3,500 km (round trip) and comprising 25 historical stations across Egypt, from Sinai to Upper Egypt.
In recognition of its outstanding universal value, UNESCO inscribed the celebrations of the Holy Family Route in Egypt on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2022, affirming its global cultural and spiritual significance.
The objectives of the Competition are:
• the visual expression of Christian values inspired by a significant event in the life of the God-Man,
• the contribution of art to the promotion of fundamental humanitarian values,
• the affirmation of art’s creative capacity for diversity and renewal through contemporary, classical, abstract, or conceptual approaches.
Artistic Fields of the Competition
The artistic fields participating in the Competition are Painting and Graphic Arts (Printmaking)
The competition is open to the international artistic community, and artists are free to create their works in the manner they deem appropriate, including both classical and contemporary visual approaches that employ imagination, symbolism, and abstraction.
Acceptance of the terms of the competition
By participating, each contestant is considered to have read and agreed to the terms of the contest. Therefore, we ask each contestant to have read the terms before participating and to make sure that he has understood them and that he agrees with them. Submission of participation in the competition implies acceptance of this regulation. It is not possible to submit the participation in the competition or the right to receive the prizes, except through the agreement with the terms of the competition. These terms constitute a binding agreement between the participants and the I.A.O. on the competition.
Participation in the competition
Contestants must be eighteen years old or older. The I.A.O. members and the Secretariat are not allowed to take part in the competition. Participation in the competition is free and applications must be received between 1 October - 10 December 2026. The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy reserves the right, if it deems it appropriate, to extend the duration of the competition.
The Holy Family Route in numbers
km (round trip)
historical stations
years Holy Family spent in Egypt
primary locations
Jury
Dr Kostas Mygdalis
General Coordinator of the Competition, Greece
Professor Dr. Manal Helal Ayoub Gergis
Art Commissioner of the Competition, Egypt
Mr Georgios Kordis
Chair, Greece
Prof. Mohsen Kamel Khalil Youssef
Egypt
Ms. Ilda Mara
Albania
Dr. Seyranush Manukyan
Armenia
Ms. Ekaterine Gedevanishvili
Georgia
Mr. Markos Kampanis
Greece
Aleksander Wasyluk
Poland
Mr. Coman Mihai
Romania
Ms. Nina Kvlividze
Russia
Mr. Todor Mitrovic
Serbia
Mr Dimitru Musteata
Moldova
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