KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated World Press Photo Exhibition kicks off on Monday, bringing with it more thought-provoking and heart-wrenching photographs from across the globe.

The exhibition, which will display 162 award-winning photographs from over 100,000 entries, will tour four states. It will start at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Monday to Feb 12 before moving to Malacca (Feb 14-Feb 23), Kota Kinabalu (Feb 27-March 8) and Penang (March 11-March 19). Entrance is free.

Dutch Ambassador to Malaysia Paul Bekkers said the organisers had applied to hold the exhibition in several states because they wanted as many people as possible to view and appreciate the “best press photos of the world”.

Thought-provoking: Bekkers explaining the winning photo for 2009 which shows Iranian women shouting from their rooftop to protest the presidential election.

“The pictures, taken by 55 award-winning photographers, are very thought-provoking,” he said.

“The photos capture moments of love, disaster, joy and sorrow ... and the reality of what the world is about,” he said.

The award-winning pictures are from an annual photo contest organised by the Amsterdam-based World Press Photo Foundation. The pictures go on a worldwide tour for a year. The local tour is sponsored by TNT Express Malaysia.

Among the heart-tugging pictures on display is one of a disfigured girl from Afghanistan whose nose was slashed off and ears cut after she fled her husband's house to escape violence.

The picture, taken by South African photographer Jodi Bieber, was named World Press Photo of the Year.

The best of nature, fashion, arts and sports will also be on display.

Among them are swans gliding in serene waters, a woman practising on her cello in the heart of Congo, a Mexican car frenzy and the joy of a man in India watching a movie under a tent.

Bekkers hoped the exhibition would further foster ties between Netherlands and Malaysia.

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