Local Talents Shine: Mira Böhm Dominates the Leondinger Youth Awards!

Leondinger Turm 9, Linz, Austria - On June 20, 2025, the city of Leonding was abuzz with excitement as it hosted the award ceremony for the renowned „Sprichcode“ competition, aimed at celebrating the creative talents of local youth. The event, held in the iconic Turm 9, featured a variety of presentations, artistic displays, and heartfelt speeches, marking a significant milestone in the realm of cultural expression in the region. As reported by MeinBezirk, the ceremony was gracefully moderated by Dominika Meindl, setting the tone for an inspiring evening.

Leonding’s Mayor, Sabine Naderer-Jelinek, along with KUVA’s Managing Director, Simone Lindinger, officially kicked off the festivities. The commitment to nurturing young talent was evident, as they applauded the creative endeavors represented by this year’s entrants. The winner of both the photography and language categories, 17-year-old Mira Böhm, certainly stole the show with her exceptional works, further underscoring the high caliber of talent showcased at the event.

A Celebration of Talent

The award recipients in the photography category, as highlighted by the event, were as follows:

In the language category, the achievements were equally commendable:

The project manager, Sarah Schnauer, emphasized the impressive quality of the submitted works, highlighting the creativity that youth can express through both words and images. This thriving initiative, organized in collaboration with KUVA, aims to shed light on the significance of creative expression – allowing young people to tell their stories and capture their perspectives through various mediums, as informed by BAFEP Linz.

An Eye Towards the Future

Looking ahead, the upcoming „Sprichcode“ competition encourages participants to submit their work based on the theme „Hype“ from January 1 to April 1, 2025. This will be the 22nd edition of the Leondinger Youth Award for Language and Photography, celebrated every two years, and will feature expert workshops led by well-regarded photographer Ness Rubey and international author Fabian Navarro, focusing on enhancing creative skills.

In addition to fostering local talent, similar initiatives are taking place across the globe, such as the Creative Youth Awards in California, which offers substantial prizes for outstanding creative submissions from high school students. This aspect reminds us that creativity knows no boundaries or borders, showcasing the universal language of artistic expression.

As the night at Turm 9 concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of inspiration. The dedication to arts and culture, alongside robust encouragement provided to the youth, does a good deal in fostering a vibrant community spirit—equally vital for the growth of individual talents and collective cultural identities.

With such remarkable initiatives underway, one can’t help but wonder: what new stories will the youth share with us next? For now, the future looks bright, fueled by creativity and passion.