Do you love the nature of Veľká Fatra and photography? This is what you’ve been waiting for! Enter the photo contest by the end of September and win valuable prizes.
CONTEST RULES
Contest Goal
With support from the Swiss-Slovak Cooperation Programme, the Tourists and Nature Together Project, the photography contest activity is focused on strengthening a positive relationship with nature, promoting sustainable tourism, and presenting unique moments in the territory of Veľká Fatra National Park. Through photographs by national park visitors, we are looking for interesting shots that represent unrepeatable scenery, natural beauty, and exceptional atmosphere connected to the chosen theme. The author’s short story accompanying the contest photograph highlights not only how the photograph came to be but also their perspective on the importance of nature conservation.
Contest Conditions
Location: Photographs must be taken in the territory of Veľká Fatra National Park.
How to Enter
- Each author may submit a maximum of five photographs to the photography contest.
- Photographs should be sent to the email: info@npvf.sk with the email subject line: PHOTOCONTEST2026
- If email capacity is insufficient, the photograph may be sent via a file storage link.
- For the photograph, and therefore in the email text, the following must be provided:
- Author’s full name
- Contest category (A1, A2, A3)
- Chosen theme (optional)
- Name of the location where the photograph was taken
- Photograph title
- Short story of how the photograph came to be and connection to the chosen category (optional)
- Photographs may be submitted to the contest until September 30, 2026, 7:00 PM.
- Photographs from an author younger than 15 years must be submitted by their legal guardian.
Entry Conditions
- The photograph was taken in accordance with the Visitor Regulations of Veľká Fatra National Park, i.e., movement is permitted only on marked hiking trails and designated areas for free visitor movement.
- Wildlife must not be disturbed, especially legally protected species.
- Natural vegetation must not be damaged.
- Disqualification: Photographs where it is evident that the Visitor Regulations of Veľká Fatra National Park were violated will not be evaluated.
- The photograph must be the author’s own work.
- Photograph format: JPG/JPEG/PNG
- Minimum photograph quality: 12 Mpx (recommended 20 Mpx and higher)
- By entering the contest, the author of the photograph gives consent for the photograph to be used for the purposes of Veľká Fatra National Park, with the author’s name credited.
- Photographs submitted to the photography contest may be used in the promotion and creation of promotional materials for Veľká Fatra National Park.
- By submitting a photograph, the author agrees to the processing of personal data and to the conditions and rules of the photography contest.
Contest Themes (optional)
- Small Details of Great Nature
- Icons of Veľká Fatra
- Life on the Hiking Trail
- Symbiosis – Harmony in Nature
Contest themes are optional and the photography contest participant may use them as inspiration.
Contest Categories
The photography contest is divided according to participant age into:
Categories:
A.1 Children (up to 15 years)
A.2 Juniors (15–25 years)
A.3 Adults (26+ years)
In each age category, three best photographs will be announced as well as the overall winner of the photography contest. Winners can look forward to interesting prizes from the organizers and sponsors of the photography contest.
Evaluation of Results
The photography contest jury will be composed of experts from the Veľká Fatra National Park Administration and contest partners. The jury will evaluate:
- Connection between the theme and the photograph’s story.
- Uniqueness of the photograph.
- Compliance with the instructions of the Visitor Regulations of Veľká Fatra National Park.
After evaluation, the jury will determine the winners in individual categories.
Separate voting will also be enabled for the public. The public will have the opportunity to vote for the most beautiful photograph. All contest photographs will be published after registration closes and marked with a serial number on the Veľká Fatra National Park website.
Public voting will begin on October 1, 10. 2026, after the closing of photograph registration for the contest, and will last until October 8, 10. 2026 until 7:00 PM. Public voting will be possible through an online voting form. The link will be available only after the closing of photograph registration for the photography contest.
Each voter may cast only one vote for one contest photograph.
Public voting results will be announced on October 9, 2026 together with the overall results and winners of the photography contest.
Everyone who participates in public voting will also be entered into a drawing for an interesting prize.
Announcement of Results
The announcement of photography contest winners will take place on October 9, 2026.
Winners will be contacted by email and will also be announced on the Veľká Fatra National Park website.
Prizes will be handed over in person or will be sent to winners by arrangement.
Important Dates
August 29, 2026 – announcement of the photography contest
September 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM – closing of contest photograph registration
October 1, 2026 – launch of public voting for the most beautiful photograph
October 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM – closing of public voting for the most beautiful photograph
October 9, 2026 – announcement of results
Photography Contest Partners and Sponsors
The Veľká Fatra National Park Administration thanks the following entities for their support of the photography contest:
- Mountain Hotel King’s Well
- Cottage under Borišov
- FATRA SKI
- Slovak National Library in Martin
- Kdebolatambolo Cottage and Garden
- Hotel Turiec****
- Ovčín Boulder & Bistro
- Gader Cottage Settlement
- Hotel Malina***
- FATRABEEF
- Karol Plicka Photo Club Martin
Prizes for Winners from Photography Contest Sponsors
The Veľká Fatra National Park Administration thanks the following entities for their support of the photography contest:
- gift voucher for accommodation worth 100 Euros – Kráľova studňa Mountain Hotel
- hand-painted T-shirt and hand-painted cap – Chata pod Borišovom
- gift voucher for ski/snowboard equipment rental for 2 people/day – FATRA SKI
- gift bags – Slovak National Library in Martin
- tasting dinner for 5 people – Kdebolatambolo Cottage and Garden
- gift voucher for wellness entry for 2 people for 2 hours – Hotel Turiec****
- 2 x voucher for climbing wall entry + climbing shoe rental: 1+1 – Ovčín Boulder & Bistro
- voucher for 2 nights for 2 people including breakfast – Gader Cottage Settlement
- gift voucher for lunch for 2 people – Hotel Malina***
- gift voucher worth 50 Euros for purchases at the bistro and shop – FATRABEEF
Final Provisions
Processing of Personal Data (GDPR): By participating in the contest, contestants (or their legal guardian) acknowledge that the organizer is authorized to process their personal data (name, surname, age, email, and submitted photograph) for the purposes of organizing, evaluating the photography contest, and presenting the results. Complete information on the protection of personal data is available on the Veľká Fatra National Park website. https://informovanie.osobnyudaj.sk/54435366/gdpr/sk/zakladne-informacie
Legal Claim: No legal claim arises to a prize in the photography contest and it cannot be paid out in cash.
Change of Rules: The Veľká Fatra National Park Administration reserves the right to change, cancel, or modify the contest rules at any time during the contest.
The photography contest activity is supported by the Swiss-Slovak Cooperation Programme, the Tourists and Nature Together Project, from the support measure “Support for Sustainable Tourism and Strengthening Biodiversity in Protected Areas”. A project supported by the Swiss contribution to reduce economic and social disparities in the EU.
Project code: 0410-2SC-BIO-PC1-001
Downloadable photo contest rules. · Downloadable photo contest poster.
