The theme of the contest, though, had nothing to do with history. Entitled “Who are we 300 years later? A day in my life”, it suggested that young people aged from 17-25 years expose their everyday lifestyles.

Photo by one of the Ukrainian winners, Semen Horzov

According to the public agency the Swedish Institute, a professional jury received more than 1,500 images, and has generously chosen five winners from the each country.

One of the jury members, photographer Anna Claren, was quoted as saying that although the temperament and tone of works varied, the choice of subjects was often the same: family, friends, identity, belonging and relations are issues expressed from every country and from every part of our world.

Apart from organizing their first-ever collective exhibition, organizers of the contest made sure the winners have a chance to share their victory with each other. They’ve arranged week-long trips to Stockholm, Kiev and the historic city of Poltava for the lucky photographers.

After August 23, the exhibition in Stockholm will go on tour to Kiev, Poltava and Moscow.