• The 15th annual World Bodypainting Festival wraps up in Austria

    Photos by Alexander Klein / AFP - Getty Images

    A participant poses with his body paintings during the 15th World Bodypainting Festival in Poertschach on July 8, 2012. Some 30,000 visitors are expected at the three-day event, with over 200 artists from 40 countries showing off their creations in the hope of taking home a prestigious World Award, the equivalent of a world championship title.

    A participant poses with her body paintings.

    By Robert Hood

    One of the world’s most colorful festivals takes place each year in Austria. The World Bodypainting Festival hosts artists from 40 nations, and tens of thousands of visitors admire the work of the participants each year. The festival includes art, music and fashion.

    See more photography from the festival at the World Bodypainting Festival website.

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  • Austria hosts World Bodypainting Festival

    Alexander Klein / AFP - Getty Images

    A participant poses with body paintings during the 15th World Bodypainting Festival in front of Woerthersee lake in Poertschach, Austria on July 7, 2012. Some 30,000 visitors are expected at the three-day event, with over 200 artists from 44 countries showing off their creations in the hope of taking home a prestigious World Award, the equivalent of a world championship title.

    Heinz-peter Bader / Reuters

    A model poses during the annual World Bodypainting Festival in Poertschach, Austria on July 7, 2012.

    Heinz-peter Bader / Reuters

    A model poses during the annual World Bodypainting Festival in Poertschach, Austria on July 7, 2012.

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