In order to further promote peace education in member cities around the world, Mayors for Peace hosts an annual children’s art competition inviting children from 6 to 15 years old who live in Mayors for Peace member cities to submit artworks on the theme of “Peaceful Towns.” This is to announce that 15 prize-winning submissions have been selected for 2023, the sixth year of the competition.
The artwork that wins the Mayors for Peace President’s Award will be printed on clear folders which Mayors for Peace will be using to promote awareness of the importance of peace education on various occasions.
Submission period: From April 12 until October 31, 2023
Submissions received by member cities:
Total number of participating cities: 115 cities in 19 countries
Total Number of applications: 4,766 (6 to 10 years old: 2,536, 11 to 15 years old: 2,230)
Selection results:
6 to 10 years old: the Mayors for Peace President’s Award /the 1st place (1 winner), the 2nd place (2 winners), the 3rd place (3 winners)
11 to 15 years old: the 1st place (1 winner), the 2nd place (2 winners), the 3rd place (3 winners)
Special prize (3 winners)
Note: One of the first place winners from the two age categories has been selected for the Mayors for Peace President’s Award.
Note: 3 special prize winners have been selected regardless of the category.
Prize-winning works
6-10 years old
Mayors for Peace President’s Award / 1st place (1 winner)
Hina Suemitsu in Seiyo, Japan (8 years old)
《Message from the artist》
I made sunflowers by cutting paper. In the language of flowers, sunflowers have a meaning of “Looking into the future”. I created this work hoping that the peaceful days, when we hold hands with our family and people around us and smile together, will continue forever.
2nd place (2 winners):
Sawa Terada in Urayasu, Japan (10 years old)
《Message from the artist》
I hope all children in the world, including those in Japan and other countries as well as those in Ukraine suffering from the war, can enjoy playing together.
Saba Seydanloo in Galugah, Iran (8 years old)
《Message from the artist》
A world full of peace and tranquility for all.
3rd place (3 winners):
Elsa Rezaea in Shahinshahr, Iran (6 years old)
《Message from the artist》
All creatures are happy in the shadow of peace, and the rainbow of peace and greenery covers everywhere, and the flowers sing and dance.
Sarah Wappler in Chemnitz, Germany (10 years old)
《Message from the artist》
I wish that there would be world peace.
Marie Draken in Marl, Germany (10 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The students want to live in a peaceful environment with mutual acceptance.
11-15 years old
1st place (1 winner)
Mizuho Yoshida in Hiroshima, Japan (15 years old)
《Message from the artist》
On the earth, there are peaceful worlds where people can live happily and safely and dark worlds where people live in fear every day. The dove living in a dark world always looks at a peaceful world and hopes that their world will become peaceful someday.
2nd place (2 winners):
Miu Inoue in Otake, Japan (13 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The white dove, a symbol of peace, in the center flying to the A-bomb Dome represents my wish that world peace will continue. In order to show this scenery as it is, I colored all the parts very carefully looking at a photo. The sky was dirty when the atomic bomb was dropped around here. The beautiful blue sky I painted here means peace.
Francisca Sousa Andrade in Grigny, France (14 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Peace is a concept invented by mankind. Let’s Make it Real!
3rd place (3 winners):
Shunsuke Naoi in Urayasu, Japan (14 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The first life forms to reach the land on the earth were insects. After that, other creatures were born, which led to the emergence of human beings. However, we, human beings, have been causing the destruction of nature and environmental pollution continuously. First of all, we need to protect nature and the living beings that provide us with nature’s bounty in order to create peaceful living and cities. This work represents coexistence among all creatures, including humans, centered on a peaceful flower by respecting each other in beautiful nature.
Moira Mentens in Leuven, Belgium (13 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The buildings in my drawing represent learning and living together. Being able to cycle safely, to me is. We often have activities here in Leuven, so I drew balloons as a sign of fun.
Gracie Quinney in Tasman, New Zealand (11 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Here I have drawn myself, sitting in my garden, thinking about how we are all a part of one big world. How beautiful would our world look, if we all took care of each other in it? Peace to me is showing kindness, hope and love to others, no matter how different they are to you.
Special Prize
Margret Mjoll Sindradotir in Reykjavik, Iceland (15 years old)
《Message from the artist》
My art piece is supposed to reflect the feeling of being in a place where you feel at home, where all your problems don’t exist and all the worries of the world concerning wars, conflicts, hate and injustice are washed away. You feel like time stops for a while. You can finally take a moment to breathe and not worry anymore and feel at peace surrounded by beautiful nature. We should not feel the need to escape but most of us sometimes want to and actually need to do so.
Riccardo Di Liddo in Thiene, Italy (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
If there is peace, there is life.
Milana Mytkalyk in Nova Ushytsia, Ukraine (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
My work is called “Peace to all cities, in all countries”. May the dove of peace protect all cities of all countries. Most of all, I want peace on our entire planet! May all people live in peace and harmony.