This photo was taken by John Butterfield, a member of The Rotary Club of Dublin-Worthington, OH (D6690) since 1997, and was among the winners announced this Summer in Rotary’s 2026 photo awards.
A woman makes her way through a courtyard of the 16th-century Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in the heart of Sarajevo’s historic Ottoman-era market area. While the Bosnian city today is home to skyscrapers, modern avenues, and a mix of cultures, the narrow lanes of Baščaršija, Sarajevo’s old bazaar, are a living repository of the city’s history and traditions.
How he says he got the shot: I spent time observing the interaction of people outside the mosque, seeking moments that embodied Sarajevo’s way of life. In this image, I focused on a young woman with a guarded expression, which contrasts with that of the older man in the background. In this everyday moment, there’s a sense of the connection and perhaps tension across generations.
Have a photo of your own? Rotary International is seeking submissions for the 2027 Rotary magazine photo awards. Photographs can be images of Rotary projects, values, people of action, club activities, or general interest. It is especially interested in photos that capture everyday life in your community. There is a limit of five submissions per person, with only one photo per submission. Pictures must have been taken since January 1st of this year and must be received between October 1st and December 31st at 11:59 p.m. (Central). Check back during the submission period at this website for more details on how to send in your photos.
It would be great to have submissions from our Zones recognized two years in a row!