Highlighting the problems of Roma youth through the story of a 17-year-old girl – Telex photographer wins Hemző Prize

In their praise of Noémi Napsugár Melegh, the judges of the Hemző Károly Foundation's Board of Trustees wrote that "Her humanism, conscious creative gestures, tremendous work ethic and varied stylistic approach made the photographer (who was one of the finalists last year as well) stand out among the very strong entries in 2023.

The jury – made up of Hemző's widow Mari Lajos, the artist's foster daughter Zsófia Salvarani, as well as photographers Péter Korniss, András Bánkuti and Róbert László Bácsi, and the secretary of the Foundation, Klára Szarka – also emphasized that they appreciate the fact that while the young photographer follows her subjects for years, she also takes on new projects and carries on her daily photojournalistic work to a high standard.

The competition, which was held for the tenth time this year, was launched by the foundation to recognise and support Hungarian photographers under 35 years of age, with prizes including the opportunity to exhibit and a cash award. Based on the recommendations of the nominating curators, the jury selected five finalists in 2023: next to Noémi Napsugár Melegh, Telex photographer Bianka Rostás, Zsófia Mohos, Bálint Szajki and András Zoltai were also in competition.

The award ceremony was – traditionally – held on 11 June, Hemző's birthday, as part of the Hemző marathon at the Capa Centre, where last year's winner, Judit Ruprech's exhibition, entitled Gentle Freedom, was also presented.

In her winning entry, Noémi Napsugár Melegh presents, among other things, the lives of Roma youth in the North Hungarian region (Drégelypalánk, Recsk, Becske, Őrhalom, etc.). Her project seeks to discover how external and internal influences shape their personality and self-image as they grow up. "Belonging, family ties and relationships play an extremely important role in Roma communities, and observing them is essential to understanding the values and traditions that are still strong in their culture and that are fundamental to their identity," the photographer said of her project.

Napsugár's entry consists of a series of images, only one of which is presented here with an original introduction and captions by the author.

Rural Youth – Evelin

Evelin Kovács gave birth to her first child, Szkarlett, at the age of 17, on 30 November 2022. She earns her living cleaning hostels with her mother in Recsk, Northern Hungary. Before she became pregnant, she lived with her father in her hometown of Drégelypalánk, a two-hour drive from Recsk. As the father of her child doesn't want to be part of the child's upbringing, she moved in with her mother and her mother's new partner and plans to raise her daughter with their help.

It is common for Roma teenagers to become parents at a particularly young age, and expectant mothers often find it difficult to adapt to the change in their life situation. My series uses the story of Evelin to show how a young girl's life changes when she becomes a mother.

When she was still living with her father and younger brother in Drégelypalánk, Evelin lived in much more modest circumstances. She was five months pregnant when she moved to Recsk to live with her mother and her mother's new partner and raise her child with their help.

Evelin with her relatives.

The girls getting ready for a party.

Evelin at the Apollo Dance Hall in Salgótarján. She used to come here a lot on Friday nights with her friends when she lived in her hometown. During her pregnancy she wasn't able to come as much, so she became more isolated from her friends.

Evelin at eight months pregnant, in her new village, Recsk.

Evelin with her mother, Bogi in their new home. Since she is a minor, she can only attend medical check-ups with her mother.

Refreshing her make-up after her evening shift. Although she rarely goes out anymore, she does most of the grocery shopping.

A week before the birth of her child, Evelin cleans a guesthouse in Recsk. She works three or four days a week in nearby hostels with her mother.

Evelin smokes a cigarette with her mother outside their house three days before the birth of her daughter, Szkarlett, on 30 November 2022.

Bogi showing a photo of her seventh grandchild to relatives in a video call outside the delivery room.

Evelin rests on the sofa at home, in Recsk.