Cartoons

In 2015, on the initiative of Ward Treunen (Brussels Tribunal) in collaboration with Muntpunt (Bart Van Effelterre and Jan Van der Auwermeulen), a first cartoon exhibition was set up with a selection from more than 800 submitted cartoons from all over the world. This exhibition was called ‘You, the West and the Middle East’.

It became a surprising and confrontational exhibition, with many lectures, discussion evenings and documentaries about the way in which Western cartoonists and cartoonists from the Middle East viewed each other’s world. Due to the attacks in Brussels, the project was canceled and was revived in a smaller version in 2017 in De Markten in Brussels.
In the meantime we are ready for a second edition!

In a world marked by conflicts and uncertainties, the initiative “Cartoons as Mirrors of Current Affairs” offers a unique platform for creative expression and social reflection. This project invites cartoonists from around the world to share their perspectives on war and peace. The emphasis is on solidarity and hope, and on questioning established values. Faced with the ongoing crises in the Middle East, Ukraine, and elsewhere, HUMORratata strives to showcase stories of solidarity and hope.

With a selection from hundreds of cartoons from all over the world, these cartoons bridge the gap between diverse cultures and regions. From that unique attitude of ‘our’ common humanity, which connects us all.
Enjoy these cartoons, and share your thoughts on these cartoonists’ approach!

The project is based on a number of basic values

• Mutual understanding vs. misunderstandings: The exhibition aims to explore the complex dynamics between different world regions, with a focus on promoting understanding and challenging stereotypes.
• Solidarity: This theme emphasizes the need for a collective effort to build a world that prioritizes peaceful coexistence over conflict, incorporating lessons from colonial history.
• Peace: In response to war propaganda and dehumanization of ‘the other’, the project calls for a critical look at all parties involved, including the role of the West in world conflicts.