Iran is a quite special country for cartoon and cartoonists. For example the exaggerated sculpture in Meshkin city are the oldest known cartoons in the world, and earthen wares and bowls with specific theme and cartoon can be found in the Museum of Azerbaijan. But the age of formal cartoon history is the age of printers and publication, and the town of Tabriz is considered the first in Iran.

The leaflets were printed often with gelatin print, distributed at night and used cartoons in the political and social aims. They were drawing against Qajar tyrant governors, health status, superstition, colonialism, discriminatory family relationships. So they were often attacked. After the suppression of Constitution, cartoons was weakened in Tabriz and except some publications which they used cartoon as illustration, there wasn’t any important happening in the area of cartoon until to revolution.

After the revolution, the revolutionary students of different political parties and groups used cartoons as a tool to humiliate and ridicule their opponents. Therefore cartoon was damaged and publications were stopped. In the late sixties, once again, Tabriz’s cartoon reorganised itself and created the Tabriz Cartoonist Association in 2002, the first and only cartoon registered and formal organisation in Iran. FECO Iran (organization representing professional cartoonists from all over the world) was established.

Part of its activities, the Tabriz Cartoonist Association has started the International City and Citizen Cartoon Contest, now in its 4th edition.

Theme of this year is: Municipal waste (e.g. Recycling, Garbage Repelling).

Entries must be sent at the e-mail address [email protected]. Sent works should be in 300dpi with 1500 pixel width or length and jpg format, and they can be already published and previously have won an award.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

This contest is open to all the professional and amateur cartoonists regardless their age from all over the world.

Prize

• First Prize: $1200, Honorable Mention and Trophy.
• Second Prize: $ 750, Honorable Mention and Trophy.
• Third Prize: $ 500, Honorable Mention and Trophy.
• 5 Honorable Mentions.

All participants whose works will be selected for the exhibition will also receive the catalogue of the contest.