Eighth International Cartoon Gathering to Open on Monday

Dr. Walid Qannoush, Head of the Fine Arts Sector, Mustafa El Sheikh, President of  Egyptian Caricature Association, Dr. Magdalena Kroth, Cultural Advisor of the Spanish Embassy in Cairo, and artist Fawzi Morsi, General Commissioner, will inaugurate the "Eighth International Cartoon Gathering," organized by Cultural Relations Sector, Fine Arts Sector, and Egyptian Caricature Association, and sponsored by Misr El Kheir Foundation, at 7 PM on Monday, August 12, 2024, in the Nahdet Misr and Isis Halls at the Mahmoud Mukhtar Cultural Center in El-Gezira. 

The event will be attended by Mr. Hossam Ghanem, brother of the artist Samir Ghanem, along with a group of artists, media professionals, members of the Egyptian Caricature Association, and caricature art enthusiasts.

Artist Fawzi Morsi, General Commissioner of the forum, stated that this session saw significant participation from cartoonists from various countries around the world. The organizing committee received a total of 510 artworks from approximately 318 artists representing 60 countries. The selection committee, comprised of artists Galal Gomaa, Maher Daniel, Hassan Farouk, and Samir Abdel Ghani, chose around 270 artworks from about 246 artists representing 54 Arab and foreign countries.

Morsi pointed out that this year's forum focuses on two main themes. The caricature theme includes a collection of outstanding artworks addressing various important and vital issues such as the Palestinian issue, pollution, climate change and its negative impacts on the world, artificial intelligence, the dangers of social media, women's issues, and more.

The second theme is caricature portraiture, celebrating the comedy legend Samir Ghanem, who captivated audiences with his television, film, and theater performances for decades. 

The forum will showcase a series of joyful portraits of the late artist drawn by a large group of cartoonists from around the world, as well as a collection of portraits of the famous Spanish comedian José Luis López Vázquez.

Following the forum's opening, the Supreme Council of Culture, under the leadership of Dr. Hesham Azmi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Culture, will host a seminar titled "Youth and Caricature Art" at 8 PM at the Mahmoud Mukhtar Cultural Center. 

The seminar, managed by journalist Mohamed Khodair, a member of the Youth Committee, will feature artist Mustafa El Sheikh, Chairman of the Egyptian Caricature Association, Dr. Tarek Abdelaziz, writer and critic at Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper, Dr. Sally Samir El-Hariri, lecturer and head of the Art Education Department at the Faculty of Specific Education, Aswan University, and member of the Youth Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture.

Participants will also include Dr. Mohamed Hamdy, Professor of Drawing and Painting at the Faculty of Art Education, Helwan University, and board member of the Egyptian Caricature Association, artist Ahmed Abdel Naim, cartoonist and editor at Akhbar Al-Youm Foundation, member of the Children's Arts Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture, artist Fawzi Morsi, General Commissioner of the Eighth International Cartoon Forum and Secretary-General of the Egyptian Caricature Association, and artist Mohamed El Sabbagh, cartoonist at Al-Osboa newspaper and winner of the Egyptian Journalism Award in the field of caricature for 2023.

The Kingdom of Spain will be the guest of honor at the forum's eighth edition, and the caricature artist Mohamed Hakem, known as the "Philosopher of Caricature," will be honored, with the forum dedicated to his memory in recognition of his significant role in enriching Egyptian caricature art. The forum will continue until August 22.