Share the Past with the Future – An Ongoing Initiative by HISTORY™

Kuala Lumpur, 19 February 2009 – Today, 20 people walked away with a branded digital photo frame worth RM500. They had taken part in Photos for the Future, and the images and accompanying descriptions they submitted were deemed the 20 most fascinating entries by a judging panel consisting of representatives from The HISTORY Channel (Astro Channel 555), ASTRO, and Badan Warisan Malaysia (Heritage of Malaysia Trust).

After receiving their prizes during a ceremony at One Utama Shopping Centre, the winners walked away delightedly, eager to share in more detail the stories behind their winning submission with audience and journalists alike. In addition, one lucky ASTRO subscriber received a portrait session worth over RM10,000 with celebrity photographer Kid Chan, who is contributing his services in support of Photos for the Future and its effort to preserve history.

From today till 22 Feb, the 20 winning entries, together with a selection of interesting photos from Malaysia and from around the region, will be exhibited in the One Utama Shopping Centre. The exhibition will shift to Badan Warisan Malaysia, located on Jalan Stonor, from 23 Feb till the first week of March.

The contest was conceived by The HISTORY Channel as a way to kick start Photos for the Future, a community project launched last November to create a lasting visual record of life over the past century in Asia. It attracted much interest, especially in Malaysia, which has chalked up hundreds of online submissions – almost half of the entire region’s submissions.

Louis Boswell, General Manager of AETN All Asia Networks, said, “Photos for the Future is an important initiative for everyone. Through this campaign, we are able to learn more about the past and discover how history links to the future. We are delighted with the number of photographs submitted by Malaysians; this shows that Malaysians value their history and are eager to contribute to the preservation of history.”

Partnering HISTORY in this project is Badan Warisan Malaysia, an organisation that promotes preservation and conservation of Malaysia’s built history. “We are pleased that HISTORY has come up with such an initiative, which is on the same path as our vision here at Badan Warisan,” said Elizabeth Cardosa, its Executive Director. “Photos for the Future educates and inspires the public to appreciate history in a pleasurable approach.”

The contest may have ended, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop submitting photos, because “appreciating and preserving history should not be a one-off activity, but an ongoing effort targeted by everyone,” said Boswell. An incentive: the entries could wind up being aired on TV! To take part, visit www.historyasia.com. Photos need a resolution of at least 300dpi, and you must explain the background and identify everyone in the photo in less than 400 words. Alternatively, entries can be submitted manually at One Utama during exhibition period.