“Receiving a prize like this is always a pleasure,” smiles the man who received the Belfius 2021 prize in the “Photo” category. “It is gratifying to see that his work is recognized and honored compared to other excellent colleagues in French-speaking Belgium.”
“The theme of farmers is particularly close to my heart,” continues our colleague, very attached to its origins. “If I currently live in Brussels, I am originally from Virton, in Gaume, and my grandfather was a farmer! In addition, I know the players in the sector well and I have had the chance to follow their actions throughout the year 2024. I am also happy that this image was selected During demonstrations, we often see the damage, the broken objects, the clashes, the sprinklers Here, that is not the case. has anger in the air, but no violence.”
VIDEO | Two journalists from L’Avenir dismissed by Nethys received awards
“I was about to leave”
Behind every press photograph, there are often anecdotes. And this year’s winning shot is no exception to the rule.
“This photo was taken on Sunday January 28, 2024, the day the Daussoulx interchange was completely paralyzed by several hundred tractors,” comments Mathieu Golinvaux. “At that time, I was leaving, I had to go back to the editorial office to write my texts. But as I don’t like missing out on a strong image or big news, I decided to stopped again to photograph this huge fire lit by the farmers I had just taken a small path along the highway and passed over a barrier. With a little luck, I arrived there at the same time. time for the firefighters, who came to put out the flames. So just in time! The return was more complicated: I had to backtrack for 1 kilometer to get out of the path I was on…”
Joined L’Avenir via our local Luxembourg editorial team in 2008, Mathieu Golinvaux is passionate about current affairs. On January 28, 2024, he was not supposed to work. “I would have been frustrated not to be present. I insisted on going to the field, it’s part of my DNA,” he slips. “I love this idea of freezing strong moments by providing information, of seeking authenticity in the news, of conveying emotions and intrigue.”
