Culture Minister Inaugurates "8th Edition of International Caricature Forum"

Egypt's Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hanno, inaugurated the "8th Edition of International Caricature Forum," which features Spain as the guest of honor. This event is organized in collaboration with the Fine Arts Sector, headed by Dr. Walid Qanoush, and the Egyptian Caricature Association, headed by artist Mostafa El-Sheikh, at the Mahmoud Mokhtar Cultural Center in Al-Jazirah, Cairo. The forum's activities run until August 22.

In his remarks, Hanno emphasized the Ministry of Culture's commitment to various aspects of cultural and creative endeavors, highlighting caricature as a significant medium for expressing opinions. He commended the organizers for their efforts and the forum's vital role in fostering cultural dialogue and facilitating the exchange of creative experiences among artists from diverse nations.

The Minister further indicated that the upcoming period will see strengthened collaboration with the Egyptian Caricature Association to catalog, document, and classify a selection of caricature works that chronicle the history and evolution of caricature in Egypt, extending to the modern era and showcasing the most notable caricature artists in the country.

In the same context, the Minister expressed his appreciation for the forum's decision to honor the late artist Samir Ghanem, a comedy legend, recognizing his substantial contributions to the field of comedy both in Egypt and across the Arab world.

This year, the International Caricature Forum pays tribute to the comedic icon, artist Samir Ghanem, who has delighted millions with his exceptional and distinctive style for over fifty years.

His breakthrough came with the stand-up comedy trio Tholathy Adwa'a El-Masrah (The Three Theater Talents) alongside George Sidhom and El-Deif Ahmed.

To honor his legacy and preserve his memory, the 8th edition of the International Caricature Forum will present over 150 caricature portraits from artists worldwide, selected from a total of 270 artworks featured this year.

These caricatures will explore various themes relevant to both local and regional contexts, including the perils of social media, climate change, the Palestinian cause, and other pressing matters. Additionally, the forum will showcase caricatures of Samir Ghanem alongside the renowned Spanish comedian Jose Luis Vazquez, coinciding with Spain's designation as the guest of honor for this session.