Swiss photographer Matthias Bruggmann wins 2017 Prix Elysée for Syrian Civil War project

At Nuit des Images 2017 in Lausanne, Swiss photographer Matthias Bruggmann was awarded the 2017 Prix Elysée. He was chosen by an international jury from a pool of eight contenders, which included Emeka Okereke, David Jiménez, Robert Zhao Renhui, Isabelle Blanc, Olivier Hilaire, Sofie Knijff, Jim Naughten, and Elina Brotherus. Bruggmann will receive CHF 80,000 (around £64,000) to further his photographic exploration of the Syrian Civil War, a project he initiated in 2012. The funding will aid in finalizing the project and producing a book set for publication in June 2018. This year’s ceremony marks the second iteration of the Prix Elysée.