First place for Martin Divíšek at Czech Press Photo!

Photographer Martin Divíšek won first prize in the Art, Culture and Portrait category at the prestigious Czech Press Photo 2025 competition. His nominated series Farewell to a Career documents the final performance of Czech prima ballerina Nikola Márová, capturing the atmosphere and emotions surrounding the farewell appearance of this legendary dancer in John Neumeier’s production A Streetcar Named Desire.

“The series of photographs of first soloist Nikola Márová, capturing her symbolic farewell to her career with the Ballet of the National Theatre, is created with a keen sense of detail. It conveys the atmosphere of the performance, the focus, tension and final emotions. The jury was impressed by the series for its simplicity and the precise visual storytelling of the end of one ballet legend,”

said Petr Mlch, Chairman of the Jury and Editor-in-Chief of the ČTK photo archive.

In his series, Divíšek focuses on moments usually unseen by the audience – backstage preparations, concentration before stepping on stage, and the moments immediately following the end of the performance. The result is a restrained and unpretentious portrait of a dancer at a moment of profound professional and personal transition.

“I am very grateful for the award granted by the Czech Press Photo jury and deeply appreciate the opportunity and privilege to document the atmosphere and backstage of Nikola Márová’s final performance. She is, to me, one of the most outstanding figures of ballet in our country,”

said Martin Divíšek, photographer.

The award confirms the quality of Divíšek’s work and highlights the importance of documenting key moments in the life of our ensembles. For the National Theatre, the series represents a valuable visual record of one of the most prominent personalities to have shaped its artistic history for more than two decades.

Nearly 300 photographers entered the 31st edition of Czech Press Photo, submitting over 5,250 photographs across nine categories. Martin Divíšek’s award-winning series will be on view at the Czech Press Photo 2025 exhibition, held at the National Museum in Prague from 11 May to 30 November 2025.