The 2025 Årets Bilde awards showcased remarkable achievements in photography, announcing the winners across several categories. VG’s Kyrre Lien received the prestigious Årets Bilde award for his evocative photograph of Samir Jalbota, a Syrian man attempting to receive TV signals from the roof of his destroyed home in Al-Yarmouk, a district near Damascus. This image not only captures a personal struggle but also highlights the broader devastation in Syria, where large portions of the country remain in ruins following years of conflict.

The Årets Bilde competition celebrates outstanding works in journalism and documentary photography, emphasizing the critical role images play in narrating real-world events. This year’s winners were selected from various categories, including news, sports, climate, and documentary photography, showcasing the diversity and depth of contemporary photographic work. Each winner exemplifies dedicated reporting and storytelling through visual media, reflecting significant social issues and human experiences.

The recognition awarded to Kyrre Lien emphasizes the importance of capturing moments that resonate and convey stories of hardship and resilience. As the world continues to grapple with the ramifications of war, the powerful narratives told through photographs, like Lien's, serve as poignant reminders of the humanitarian crises faced globally, showcasing the strength and survival of the human spirit amidst overwhelming adversity.