Vietnam press caricature contest returns after four years

Visitors at the Vietnam Press Caricature Contest, which opened in Hanoi on April 3 (Photo: VNA)

The fifth edition of the contest was launched at the National Centre for News by Sport & Culture newspaper (Vietnam News Agency) on April 3, with the theme of ‘Cultural Behaviours: Civilised Society’.

According to the organising board, the aim of the contest is to encourage caricature drawing among “painting journalists” nationwide, offer new spiritual food for thought to audiences, promote the art form and honour caricaturists.

Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Deputy General Director Le Quoc Minh said at the launching ceremony that Vietnam’s caricatures made their way in the world 96 years ago when Nguyen Ai Quoc had his first caricatures published on Le Paria newspaper (France). After a period of fading, caricatures are regaining their positions on newspapres despite their differences as compared to those in the past.

Editor-in-chief of Sport & Culture newspaper Le Xuan Thanh said this year’s theme will use the laughter of caricatures to remind each person of proper behaviour in every place.

“We all know that laughter is the best medicine; therefore, caricature not only criticises uncultured behaviours but also supports civilised ones. We believe that caricatures can lead to positive changes in behavioural culture in the community, which is also a way to promote the 96-year tradition of Vietnam’s caricature," he said.

The contest is open to all applicants, including professional and amateur caricaturists, both Vietnamese and foreigners living in Vietnam, though all entries must be published in a Vietnamese newspaper from the start of this year until the end of the contest, December 1.

The winning caricaturists, besides receiving cash awards, will have their work exhibited in public spaces including the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and book street Nguyen Van Binh in Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to bring caricatures closer to the public and raise awareness about behavioural culture.

Also on April 3, an art exhibition showcasing typical Vietnamese caricatures that have been published in newspapers since 1922 - the year that Nguyen Ai Quoc or President Ho Chi Minh started drawing caricatures while he was in France – also opened at the National Centre for News, at 5 Ly Thuong Kiet street in Hanoi.

More than 100 works are on display, divided into five categories: from 1922 to 1945; caricatures during the resistant war against the French; caricatures during the resistant war against the US; caricatures during the "Doi Moi" (Renewal) period; caricatures today and the winning works in the four previous caricature contests. The exhibition will conclude on April 10.

The first Vietnam Press Caricature Contest was launched on 2007 and was held annually until 2014./.

VNA