Europe and the epidemic star in the cartoon Xira 2021

Europe enjoys a prominent position in Cartoon Xira 2021.

Taking advantage of the Portuguese presidency of the European Union, the organizers challenged the Greek cartoonist Michael Kontoris to present, through a hundred drawings, the questions and desires of the citizens of the community bloc, in an exhibition entitled Europe on the horizon?!

Among the topics discussed are immigration or the rise of the far right, but also Europe is threatened by an epidemic.

“This exhibition may seem like a critical vision of Europe and, even if you look at it lightly, an anti-European exhibition. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is an exhibition that talks about Europe when it was not yet united. The bloc. In my opinion, this means that European citizens have a series of aspirations and dreams and expectations for Europe that Europe does not fulfill. It shows the imbalance between the desires of the citizens and the political reality of the European elite.”Antonio Antunes, cartoonist and curator explains.

Respecting its traditions, the exhibition Vila Franca de Xira presents in the department 2020 year cartoon, a collection of the best humor sketches by dozens of Portuguese artists published last year.

Although events such as the divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or the West’s relations with China were in 2020, the center of attention is mainly located, according to the organizers Cartoon ZiraAbout Trump’s exit from the White House and of course the pandemic. A difficult year, in which a humorous interpretation of reality was necessary more than ever.

“2020 was decisive. Several areas have been affected by the COVID-19 virus and are represented here: politics, culture, sports, social life and of course health”says Cristina Sampaio, cartoonist.

“Last year was a non-typical year, for all the reasons we know, because of the pandemic. In my case, my work was very affected by the pandemic. But it was also a year that forced us to look at things in a new way. And I think that is also reflected in the works presented here. For me, personally. , as an artist, it forced me to think about things differently. Basically, that’s what cartoonists always do, but this time we had to do even more”, señala João Fazenda, schematic painter.

Ross Thompson retrospective exhibition

Completing the triangular shape Cartoon Zira, a retrospective of Scottish Ross Thompson, who has been active for 83 years. Ross Tunes It provides a window into the artist’s long career in the world of advertising, cartoons and satirical drawing, which has earned him more than a hundred awards and distinctions around the world. A special vision of everyday life, with a bit of silly British humor.

Greetings to Quino

This version also wanted to honor Argentine Joaquin Salvador Lavado, better known as Quino, the creator of Mafalda, who died on September 30, 2020 at the age of 88.

“From the humorous side of the COVID-19 pandemic to the vision of the European Union, which began in 2021 under the Portuguese presidency, without neglecting the ironic interpretation of the rest of the current affairs in Portugal and around the world, this year’s cartoon Xira is open to the public until August 29”, says Rodrigo Barbosa, Euronews.