Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – Seventy caricature paintings from all over the world were showcased at the Opera House in Damascus within the framework of Syria’s 12th International Caricature and Cartoon Contest 2016 under the title “Art against Terrorism”.
The seventy paintings were selected from hundreds of artworks submitted by 300 artists from 63 Arab and foreign countries.
On the sidelines of the contest, a short documentary film was screened. The film recalls the history of caricature art through a series of paintings of different colors and perspectives that shape the bright future of the homeland.
The first prize was given equally to Iraq and Indonesia and the second prize went equally to China and Iran while the third one was offered equally between Turkey and Portugal, in addition to granting three special awards to Belgium, Iran and Ukraine.
A ceremony was held to honor members of the jury committee which included the musician Juan Karajoli, Artist Raed Khalil, Artisit Moaffak Makhoul and Director al-Muhannad Kalthoum from Syria, Emad Salehi from Iran and Ridha Hasan from Germany.
Head of the contest, Artist Raed Khalil said that the theme “Art against Terrorism” was selected depending on the fact that combating terrorism has become an essential issue to all humanity.
He noted that the wide participation of Arab and foreign artists despite the difficult circumstances taking place in the country is considered an important achievement and a victory for Syria, adding that the exhibition is meant to convey a message that “we are against killing and destruction in any country around the world.
Khalil added that the photo albums of the participating paintings will be distributed on all participants and their artworks will be displayed on the International Syrian Caricature website in Arabic and English.
For his part, film director al-Muhannad Kalthoum said that hosting such events in Damascus enriches the Syrian culture and art, adding that the exhibition stresses that the Syrian, Arab, European and international artists agreed on one fact that “art against terrorism” and “we, as Syrian artists, will combat terrorism in our own way just like the heroes of Syrian Arab army.”
Plastic artist, Mowaffak Makhoul said that the participating paintings express a common state among all the world peoples who are suffering from terrorism and obscurant mentality just like the Syrian people, noting that the exhibition attempts to convey our voice as artists and defenders of the Syrian civilization.
The paintings reflect the suffering and pains of Syrian people due to the current terrorist war waged against them.
R.Raslan/Mazen
