The
Brussels Street Photography Festival (BSPF) is pleased to announce that
Josef Koudelka, one of the most iconic photographers of our time, will be the guest of honor at this year’s 10th-anniversary celebration. Koudelka will receive the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to photography during a special evening at Brussels City Hall on May 30, 2026. The event will also feature an interview with the photographer and the announcement of this year’s competition winners.
Sigrid Debusschere, Director of BSPF, shared her excitement: “Hosting Josef Koudelka at BSPF is a rare privilege. His work has inspired generations of photographers, and his presence at our festival is a celebration of everything documentary and street photography stands for; authenticity, storytelling and the power of the human experience. We are honored to welcome him to Brussels and celebrate his extraordinary career.”
© Josef Koudelka/Magnum Photos, Courtesy of the Josef Koudelka Foundation
© Josef Koudelka/Magnum Photos, Courtesy of the Josef Koudelka Foundation
Josef Koudelka was born in Czechoslovakia in 1938. He began his career as an aeronautical engineer, and started photographing Romani communities in his spare time in 1962, before fully dedicating himself to photography in the late 1960s. However, it was his powerful images of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Prague, published anonymously under the initials “P.P.” (Prague Photographer), that brought him international acclaim. These photographs, smuggled out of Czechoslovakia and later awarded the Robert Capa Gold Medal, became iconic symbols of resistance and photojournalism.
After seeking political asylum in England in 1970, Koudelka joined Magnum Photos and continued to produce influential bodies of work, including Gypsies (1975) and Exiles (1988). His photography is known for its striking compositions, emotional depth, and exploration of themes such as alienation, resilience, and the human condition. Over the decades, Koudelka’s work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Hayward Gallery in London, and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. His contributions to photography have earned him numerous awards, including the Prix Nadar, the Grand Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson, and the Hasselblad Foundation International Award.
In recent years, Koudelka has focused on panoramic landscapes, documenting the European countryside and conflict zones such as the Israeli-Palestinian border. His ability to capture both the fragility and endurance of human existence remains a defining feature of his work.
www.josefkoudelka.org
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Josef Koudelka © Antoine d’Agata/Magnum Photos
The Brussels Street Photography Festival (BSPF) is an annual event dedicated to promoting street photography as an art form, an urban research tool, and a means of cultural communication. Since its founding in 2016, BSPF has grown into one of Europe’s most renowned street photography festivals, offering exhibitions, workshops, photo walks, and competitions that attract both emerging and established photographers from around the world.
The awards ceremony with Josef Koudelka will take place at Brussels City Hall on May 30, 20:00-21:30. Attendance is limited to 200 people. Registration is not required, but be sure to be there on time to secure your spot.
© Josef Koudelka/Magnum Photos, Courtesy of the Josef Koudelka Foundation
