1st International Cartoon Competition “The Mysteries of Huhla”, Bulgaria
Topic: “Huhla – the Center of the World”
SPECIFICATION
OBJECT:
The Art Festival “Mysteries of Huhla” will be held for the 28th time this year. It has already established itself as one of the most beloved and spectacular cultural events in Bulgaria. In order not to stop its rise, we decided to enrich it with another significant event “The 1st International Cartoon Competition “Mysteries of Huhla`2026”.
The village of Huhla is located below the St. Iliya Peak in the mystical Rhodope Mountains - the homeland of the legendary Thracian king-singer Orpheus. St. Iliya Peak is the beginning of the Rhodope Mountains, and through Huhla, along the Arda River The Roman-built road "Via Rhodopea" ran along it. Near the river, near the village of Huhla, there is also the long-sought-after site of archaeologists "The Stones of King Darius", mentioned by Herodotus - the father of history. Many legends have been passed down through the The Roman-built road "Via Rhodopea" ran along it. Near the river, near the village of Huhla, there is also the long-sought-after site of archaeologists "The Stones of King Darius", mentioned by the father of history Herodotus. Many legends have been passed down through the generations about St. Iliya Peak, and the place is truly magnetic.
There was life on it as early as the 12th century BC, and also a sanctuary, which is mapped on the archaeological map of Bulgaria. Artifacts of Dionysus, Hygieia, Asclepius, as well as a Thracian horseman and chariots have been found there. At the top there is an ancient Thracian Tomb, not yet explored. Scientists from the Mining and Geological Institute believe that in the sanctuary at the top, as well as the sanctuary of Ada Tepe, there lived priests, who managed the gold mining in the region. In Huhla and on Ada Tepe there were the first gold mines in the world. At night, the lights of three countries can be seen from here - Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece.
Only 29 people currently live in the village of Huhla, but it is famous for having the most writers per capita – there are three nationally recognized authors. The names of many athletes, dancers, musicians, doctors, engineers, and businessmen are also associated with Huhla. The people of Huhla consider their village as a cosmopolitan place and jokingly call it “The Center of the World”. Everyone is very artistic.
Today, the inhabitants of Huhla live all over the world, but every year they return here for another holiday, “The Mysteries of Huhla.” We decided to enrich this holiday by using the universal language of cartoons, which is can be equally understood by everyone. Therefore, we invite all artists, professionals and amateurs working in the field of cartooning, to make their own interpretations on the topic "Huhla - the Center of the World".
PARTICIPATION RULES:
1. The competition is organized at national and international level. Amateur and professional cartoonists from all over the world can participate.
2. Cartoons that do not correspond to general moral rules, contain insults, serve political purposes and contain undesirable and harmful expressions will be excluded from the competition.
3. Relatives of the members of the selection committee cannot participate in the competition.
4. The technique is free. Competitors must add a short biography – up to 10-12 lines – in an attached file with their works.
5. Cartoons must be sent only by email. The dimensions of the cartoon must be A4 (21 x 29.7 cm), with a resolution of 300 dpi and jpg format.
6. Cartoons must not have received an award in a national or international competition before. Cartoons that the selection committee considers to be the same or similar or that belong to another cartoonist will not be evaluated.
7. Participants must add their short biographies to their cartoons and add in the text that they did not use Artificial Intelligence in the creation of their works.
8. Participants can submit maximum of 3 (three) cartoons.
9. Cartoons must be sent to:
huhlacartoon@abv.bg with the text "
1st International Cartoon Competition "The Mysteries of Huhla 2026" in the subject line, indicating the name, surname, city and country of the artist by 24:00 on
31.05.2026.
10. Please name the attached files as follows: First Name_Last Name_Country_Cartoon_1,2,3 (For example: Zhivko_Tenev_Bulgaria_Cartoon_1)
Attach your short CV in the email as a Word text.
11. If the contestants win the cash prize and do not come to receive it, the Hohla Foundation will transfer it to the bank account provided by the contestants. The beneficiary must be filled in, signed with an IBAN number. If the beneficiary does not contain an IBAN number, the prize amount expires at the end of 1 year from the date of announcement of the results. In case of expiration, the rights holder cannot make any claims for prize, etc.
12. Cartoons that are ranked or deemed worthy of being exhibited will be used or published by the organizers for cultural purposes only. Among the cartoons submitted to the competition, the works selected by the jury and deemed worthy of being exhibited will be displayed in an exhibition during the Art Festival "Mysteries of Huhla 2026".
13. According to these regulations, participants grant the copyright of the works entered in the competition to the organizers of the event. They may be used for travelling exhibitions or presented to the public by sound, picture or image, as an attraction and for advertising purposes for future editions of the competition.
JURY
The jury, composed of famous personalities, will award the following prizes for the best works:
AWARDS:
First Prize: 1000 Euros
Second Prize: 700 Euros
Third Prize: 500 Euros
10 Special Prizes: Mention in the list of awardees.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE:
1. The deadline for applications is 31.05.2026.
2. The jury evaluation meeting will be held on 03.06.2026.
3. The results of the competition will be announced on 15.08.2026.
4. The award ceremony and opening of the exhibition will be held on 15.08.2026.
A digital certificate of participation will be sent to all participants approved for the exhibition.
CONTACT:
Coordinator: Zhivko TENEV – GISSEN
Tel: +359 885 913 170
Organizers of the 1st International Cartoon Competition are:
“Hohla” Foundation
“Rodopi” Publishing House Ltd.
Note: The Hohla Foundation reserves the right to make changes to this specification if it deems necessary.
