Water is life. And water can be in short supply. It can shape our daily lives, define landscapes, present societies with major challenges—or, through its destructive power, become a threat.

With its photo contest “Water – Traces of Life,” the German-Jordanian Society (DJG) has brought this fundamental theme into focus from a German-Jordanian perspective.

More than 170 photographs illustrated the traces that water leaves in our lives: in daily routines and agriculture, in cities and landscapes, in infrastructure and architecture, and within religion and commemorative culture. The contest also explored issues such as water scarcity, creative approaches to managing limited resources, and the consequences of flooding.

Of particular interest was the comparative look at both Germany and Jordan. Despite their many differences, both societies face similar questions regarding water as a resource. The contest aimed to encourage participants to identify both commonalities and differences and to make them visible through the medium of photography.

In doing so, the DJG sought to achieve more than just a conventional photo contest. “Water – Traces of Life” was intended to highlight a socially significant issue while simultaneously fostering dialogue between people in Germany and Jordan.

On October 18, the jury reached its decision regarding the awards:

Dr. Yazid Shammout DANA Senior Care Facilities, Hanover

Dr. Thelal Oweis German Jordanian University, Amman

Dr. Zaid Bawab German Jordanian University, Amman

Dr. Christian Diemer Goethe-Institut Amman

Dr. Mounir Azzaoui Hanns Seidel Foundation, Amman

Dr. Matthias Schmidt-Rosen KfW (German Development Bank)

Dr. Jochen Pleines German-Jordanian Society

The Prize Winners:

1st Prize Hassan Alazzeh, Amman

2nd Prize David Weinmann, Dernau

3rd Prize Maher Maidaani, Madaba

4th Prize Svenja Heuer, Cologne

Special Prize of the Jury Maro Sari, Amman

Special Prize of the Jury Mohammad Al-Malawani, Amman

You can view the pictures—along with their creators, titles, and descriptions—in two galleries.