TITLE: The journey of hope

The Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, former Allahabad, is an unusual destination for a non-Hindu. But those who travel here immerse themselves in another world. A world of faith and hope, a world of meditation and spirituality, a variety of colors and smells, a world in which poverty and wealth are drifting apart. A bundle of contradictions, held together by the hope for a better life.
In Prayagraj, India, in February 2019, probably the largest festival in history took place. The Hindu Faith Festival "Kumbh Mela" has even been recognized by UNESCO as the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".
For many Hindus the way to this festival is longer than their previous life experience. The series takes a different approach than the typical Kumbh Mela images you've seen everywhere. It documents the long, exhausting journey of hope. A goal that for many Hindus means their life's goal.

AUTHOR: Joachim Bergauer (Austria)

The master-class photographer Joachim Bergauer was born on 12.07.1965 in Schwarzach (Salzburg). The entrance to the advertising industry was the result of the photography in his adolescence. The artist also gained journalistic experience while working at the austrian boulevard during his long lasting function as a press photographer.

In the 1990’s, Joachim Bergauer founded his establishment with two assistents. He’s specialised to image-, advertising-, report- and art-photography. Ever since, the salzburg citizen is commonly booked by various advertising agencies and magazines (New York Times, Spiegel, Profil, ...) in his home country and abroad too. World-famous celebrities from sport and media are also visiting his studio very often to get in the right light for upcoming successful pictures.

At the beginning of 2000, Bergauer founded in addition to his photography an advertising agency and ever since, he is cooperating with costumers like Atomic, Infineon, Volksbank Salzburg, Falkensteiner Hotels and Sparda Bank inter alia.

Bergauer holds lectures and workshops in Austria, Germany, Prague and Switzerland and led the "masterclass digital photography" in Salzburg. Exhibitions and a separate book "Live in the leprosy village" complete his area of ​​responsibility.

The artistic part is also not neglected and this is why Joachim Bergauer’s works are admired and favoured at exhibitions in Canada, France, Germany and Austria frequently.

Awards
2019 Photographer of the YEAR - Tokio International Photography Award
Trierenberg Super Circuit Gold Portrait 2017
PX3 Grand Prix France Winner 2017
Karl-Weiser-Award Austria 2016
FEP – European Photographer 2015
1st – Staatspreis Traumseher Category 'Advertisement' 2015
2nd – Traumseher Professional Photographer – Category 'Advertisement' 2015
1st – Traumseher Professional Photographer – Category 'Reportage' 2015
4 x Gold European Newspaper Award 2012 (PUR Magazin)
3 x Gold European Newspaper Award 2011 (PUR Magazin)
2nd – Traumseher Award 2010
2008 Award 1. Platz Photography
2008 Award 1. Platz Outdoor
2006 Award 3. Platz Werbekampagne
2006 Award 2. Platz Outdoor
2002 Award 2. Platz Webdesign
"S@lzburger of the Year" 2008
Worldwide Ambassador for Hasselblad 2006