Blenkinsop wins Visa d'Or News

Author:

Olivier Laurent

Philip Blenkinsop has won the Visa d'Or News awards at Perpignan's photojournalism festival for his reportage of the China earthquake.

The emotional announcement was made on a Perpignan street after the official award ceremony was rained off. Jean-François Leroy, Visa Pour l'Image's director, went directly to Blenkinsop at the Le Divine restaurant where the Noor photographer was dining.

Visa%20Pour%20l%27Image%20-%20News%20a02.jpg
Jean-François Leroy with Visa d'Or News winner Philip Blenkinsop

'I feel like Paris Hilton,' Blenkinsop said as he received the award surrounded by dozens of photographers. 'I'll need to punch one of you out.'

Blenkinsop won €8000 donated by French magazine Paris Match. 'It's not about the money,' Blenkinsop said. 'It's the most incredible honour. It means more to me than any other prize. I have so much respect for Visa. It gives you courage to keep going.'

He added that over the past 12 years he had missed the Visa festival only once. 'I come back because I support this man [Leroy] and this crew. If I were ever stuck in a nasty little jail, I know they would do all they can to get me out. I know you would fight for us,' he told Leroy.

Blenkinsop thanked his family - the Noor photo agency. Finally, he praised Perpignan's mayor for supporting the event. 'That's the longest Jean-François has ever let me speak,' he concluded.

Visa%20Pour%20l%27Image%20-%20News%20a01.jpg
Jean-François Leroy hugs an emotional Philip Blenkinsop

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