Since the first LUMIX Festival in 2008, we have accompanied with amazement and enthusiasm how a small idea has developed into a large, internationally renowned photo festival. Over the past 12 years we have seen impressive reportages and met up-and-coming journalists and artists on the festival grounds. This year everything seems to be different and yet the spirit of this special event remains. The LUMIX Festival shows the world as it is – even the world beyond one’s own horizon. The works shown there make an invaluable contribution to people understanding each other. As a camera manufacturer we can support this work in two ways: By further developing the right tools for this and by supporting platforms such as the LUMIX Festival, which serves not only as a gallery but also, and especially, as a place of exchange between photographers, as a reliable partner. This year we may miss the experience in Hanover, but we still feel the spirit of the festival. We are looking forward to seeing you all again in two years!