Ardino Municipality International Cartoon Contest: “Devil's Bridge 2026”, Bulgaria

Ardino Municipality, Bulgaria

InternationalCartoon Contest:

“Devil's Bridge 2026”

1. Organizer: Ardino Municipality and the Ardino Municipal Museum. 

2. Theme: "Ardino: Nature, History, and Beauty." 

3. Objectives of the Contest: 

• To draw attention to the natural and cultural riches of Ardino through the art of cartooning. 

• To promote the "Devil’s Bridge" over the Arda River, the "Eagle Rocks" Thracian sanctuary, the Ardino Municipal Museum, the Arda meanders, and the Late Antique and Medieval fortress at the mouth of the Borovitsa River. 

• To encourage creative interpretation of natural and historical sites. 

• To raise awareness for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage through art. 

4. Terms and Conditions: 

• Participants: Open to professional and amateur cartoonists from all over the world. 

• Number of Entries: Each participant may submit a maximum of 3 (three) cartoons. 

• Technique: Free (black and white, color, or digital). 

• AI Prohibition: Works created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be disqualified. 

• Content Restrictions: Works containing racism, religious discrimination, hate speech, or abuse will not be evaluated. 

• Digital Format: Entries sent via email must be in JPEG format with a resolution of 300 DPI. 

• Originality: Works may have been previously exhibited but must not have won an award in another contest. 

5. Submission and Contact Address: cc_devils_bridge26@abv.bg 

6. Deadline for Submissions: July 15, 2026. 

7. Prizes: 

• First Place: "Golden Devil's Bridge" special plaque and certificate. 

• Second Place: "Silver Devil's Bridge" special plaque and certificate. 

• Third Place: "Bronze Devil's Bridge" special plaque and certificate. 

• Honorable Mention: Certificate and local souvenirs. 

8. Jury Members: 

• Valeri Alexandrov (Walex): President of the Union of Bulgarian Cartoonists (Jury Chair). 

• Zhivko Tenev: Cartoonist (Bulgaria). 

• Halit Kurtulmuş (Aytoslu): Cartoonist (Türkiye). 

• Ayhan Hayrula: Illustrator (Bulgaria). 

• Taner Chobanov: Contest Coordinator. 

9. Award Ceremony: 

• The ceremony will take place in August 2026 as part of the traditional "Ardino Days." 

• The works will be exhibited in the foyer of the "Rodopska Iskra" Community Center and the city square. 

• Awards for artists who cannot attend the ceremony will be sent to their addresses by mail. 

10. Participation Form Information: 

Participants must provide the following information along with their works: 

• Full Name 

• Short Biography 

• Phone Number, Email, and Mailing Address. 

Appendix 1: Participation Form 

Contact: 

Taner Chobanov 

Ardino Municipal Museum 

Phone: 03651 4681 / 0887118099 

https://www.ardino.bg/deynosti/tourism/zabelezhitelnosti 

ardino-obyavyava-mezhdunaroden-konkurs-za-karikatura 

Source: Halit Kurtulmuş Aytoslu.

Call to participate in the international cartoon exhibition themed "Inclusive Sports", Turkey

İçel Art Club is awaiting your works for its 

public cartoon exhibition themed “Inclusive Sports.”

Source: Behzat Taş.

Human Rights Association Istanbul Branch 3rd International Cartoon Contest 2026, Turkey

HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION ISTANBUL BRANCH

3rd INTERNATIONAL CARTOON CONTEST

Today, in many parts of the world, children are struggling to survive under the shadow of war, poverty, discrimination, violence, and inequality. Yet every child has the right to live in safety, to receive education, to play, to express themselves, and to build their future freely. These rights cannot be postponed or ignored. 

Art can sometimes express with a single line what long reports fail to explain. Cartoon art, in particular, is one of the strongest languages of humor and criticism. It can make visible a child’s silent cry, an injustice, or the hope for a better future within a single frame. 

As the Culture and Arts Commission of the Human Rights Association Istanbul Branch, the theme of this year’s 3rd International Cartoon Competition is Children’s Rights. Our aim is to be the voice of children, to draw attention to violations of their rights, and to create a shared conscience through the universal language of art. Because we believe that a world where children do not smile is not truly livable for any of us. 

We would like to thank all artists who draw justice with their pens and nurture hope through their lines. Together, we wish to strengthen the hope for a world where children can live freely, equally, and in peace. 

Because every child is the beginning of a fairer world. 

Because if a child falls silent, the future falls silent. 

And we know this well: 

A child’s smile is the most beautiful picture of peace. 

1. The competition is open to all amateur and professional artists worldwide, as well as all participants under the age of 18. 

2. The theme of the competition has been determined as “CHILDREN’S RIGHTS” 

3. Participants are free to use any technique in their works. The submitted works may have been published before, but they must not have received any awards in previous competitions. 

4. Works produced with Artificial Intelligence will not be accepted. 

5. The competition consists of two categories: Adult Category and Under 18 Category. 

6. A digital certificate will be sent to all participating artists. 

7. Participants may submit as many works as they wish. However, no artist may receive more than one award. 

8. Submitted cartoons must be in JPG format, with a maximum size of A3 (29.7 cm x 42 cm) and a resolution of 300 dpi. 

9. Along with their works, all artists must send their full name, postal address, telephone number, e-mail address, short biography, age, and one photograph. Participants under the age of 18 must обязательно state their date of birth. 

10. The exhibition and award ceremony of the competition will be held in Istanbul on a date to be announced later. Awards of those unable to attend the ceremony will be sent to their addresses.

11. All cartoonists participating in the competition are deemed to have accepted all conditions. 

12. The competition is organized by the Culture and Arts Commission of the Human Rights Association Istanbul Branch. 

13. Whether awarded or not, submitted cartoons may be used by the organizing institution in exhibitions, posters, books, albums, e-albums, calendars, brochures, and similar publications, and may also be published online. 

14. Entries must be sent by e-mail to ihdhumanrightscartoons@gmail.com no later than November 1, 2026. 

15. The competition results will be announced in December. 

16. AWARDS 

Adult Category: 

• First Prize: Plaque 

• Second Prize: Plaque 

• Third Prize: Plaque 

Under 18 Category: 

• First Prize: Plaque 

• Second Prize: Plaque 

• Third Prize: Plaque 

17. Jury Members (in alphabetical order): 

• Altan Özeskici (Türkiye) – Cartoonist 

• Aşkın Ayrancıoğlu (Türkiye) – Cartoonist 

• Defne Demirci (Türkiye) – Child Cartoonist 

• Marian Avramescu (Romania) – Cartoonist 

• Musa Keklik (Türkiye) – Cartoonist 

• Savaş Ünlü (Türkiye) – Children’s Books Author. 

The XXXIII International Exhibition of the Arts of Humor, Alcala 2026, Spain

XXXIII International Exhibition of the Arts of Humor 2026

The Quevedo Institute of the Arts of Humor of the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá announces the XXXIII International Exhibition of the Arts of Humor, with the title "THE BATTLE AGAINST TOBACCO". 

1.- Participation is open to all professionals over 18 years of age who wish to participate in the contest. 

2.- To participate in the Exhibition, a maximum of 5 works must be sent on the theme "THE BATTLE AGAINST TOBACCO". It can be a cartoon, a strip or a caricature. The organization reserves the right to invite those authors it deems appropriate. 

3.- The works must be signed. They can be made in any technique and support, with maximum dimensions of A3 (297x420 mm.), preferably vertically, as the catalogue will follow these proportions. 

The use of any AI tool during the creation process must be clearly stated. 

4.- The works must be sent before June 30. Together with the work, the form that accompanies these bases will be sent, duly completed. Works made using traditional techniques can be sent to the following postal address: 

General Foundation of the University of Alcalá 

International Exhibition of the Arts of Humor 

C/ Nueva, 4. 

28801 Alcalá de Henares Madrid (Spain) 

In works made in digital technique, it must be submitted in JPG or TIFF format with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. per miah@iqh.es, and it is recommended to send a printed and signed copy, with the copy number (e.g.: Copy 1 of X). 

It is essential to stick to the dates indicated for the proper planning of the catalogue and the design of the exhibition. 

5.- Works sent by post must be sent suitably packed. It is recommended to protect them with two flat cartons, and the organization is not responsible for any damage caused in transport. The shipping costs will be borne by the people who participate in this call, and the organization will not assume any expense (for example, customs costs) or any liability in case of deterioration or loss of the work. 

6.- A commission will make a selection among the works received that will be exhibited at the XXXIII International Exhibition of the Arts of Humor of the University of Alcalá to be held between September and November 2026 in Alcalá de Henares. 

7.- The works presented will become part of the collections of the Quevedo Institute of the Arts of Humour of the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá, unless expressly indicated otherwise, for which the word "Return" must be written on the back of the work. 

8.- Sending the work implies that the author authorizes the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá to reproduce and disseminate it, provided that his or her name appears and the objective is the dissemination of the Exhibition and other activities of the FGUA in the field of humor, without generating any obligation of any kind before the author. 

9.- The organization will communicate, electronically, the receipt of the works and their selection, publishing this last list on its website iqh.es. 

10.- The authors whose work has been selected will receive a copy of the publication that will be published on the occasion of the celebration of the Exhibition. 

11.- The organization reserves the right not to exhibit those works that it considers to violate individual or collective rights. 

12.- The participants will be responsible for the originality of the works in the event of any claim, holding the organization harmless from any infringement of rights or intellectual property of the same. 

13.- Participation in the Exhibition implies acceptance of these rules and the waiver of any legal claim, and the responsibility for the works falls on their authors.

The 4th International Cartoon Biennale "Niko Nikolla" 2026, Albania

4th International Cartoon Biennale “Niko Nikolla”

Albanian Excellence announces the organization of the 4th International Cartoon Biennale “Niko Nikolla”, to be held in Korça, Albania, from October 30 – November 1, 2026. 

ANGEL OR DEVIL? 

An ancient question — as old as humanity itself. Yet more relevant than ever. 

In every choice, in every system, in every public figure — there is a duality. A constant tension between what appears to be and what truly is. 

This theme does not seek definitive answers. It seeks perspective. It calls for the courage to look beyond the surface — to reveal irony, contradiction, and hidden truth. 

BUJAR KAPEXHIU — A FIGURE, AN ERA 

There are artists who create works. And there are artists who create spirit. 

Bujar Kapexhiu is one of them. 

Director. Actor. Screenwriter. Caricaturist. Satirical poet. The creator of the first animated film in Albania. 

An artist who did not conform — but stood firm. Who did not bend — but created. 

Persecuted by a regime that rejected individuality, he remained free in thought and in art. 

BIENNALE AWARDS 

Theme 1: “ANGEL OR DEVIL?” 

- First Prize — € 1,000 

- Second Prize — € 500 

- Third Prize — € 300 

- Fourth Prize — € 200 

- Fifth Prize — € 100 

Theme 2: “PORTRAIT: BUJAR KAPEXHIU” 

- First Prize — € 1,000 

- Second Prize — € 500 

- Third Prize — € 300 

- Fourth Prize — € 200 

- Fifth Prize — € 100 

SPECIAL AWARD 

“Nikolla Family Award” — € 500. 

Participation Criteria 

• Up to 4 works per theme 

• Original works only 

• Format: JPG / PNG, 300 dpi 

• Works must be sent to: internationalcartoonbiennale@gmail.com 

• AI-generated works are NOT allowed 

Deadlines 

May 10 – August 10, 2026 

Exhibition: 

October 30 – November 1, 2026. 

Use of Artworks 

By participating, authors grant the Biennale the non-commercial right to use submitted works for exhibition, publication, promotion, and documentation purposes. 

Contact 

internationalcartoonbiennale@gmail.com 

Facebook: International Cartoon Biennale – Korça