World events in award-winning photographs: Danish photographer Mads Nissen, winner of the World Press Photo of the Year, joined WestLicht owner Peter Coeln on Thursday evening to open the annual World Press Photo - exhibition at the Museum of Photography WestLicht.

"For the first time, the winning photograph is a one hundred percent statement for tolerance, with subtle power not war and violence," Peter Coeln noted, thanking World Press Foundation representative Anaïs Conijn for sending this important and courageous signal. The photograph shows the gay couple Jon and Alex from St. Petersburg in an intimate moment and is part of a project that addresses homophobia in Russia. Mads Nissen told of his experiences, of violence and frightening repression against homosexuals in Russia. But despite all the cruelty, he wants to show one thing above all with his photo: The love between people. Anaïs Conijn quotes: "Challenge hate with something so simple as love. It is both the utmost and the very least we can do."

Photos: Christine Miess/WestLicht