Reasons why the nominees for the 2025 International Humor Sapiens Award were selected.
18/10/2025 SYRIACARTOON
Reasons why the nominees for the 2025 International Humor Sapiens Award were selected.
أسباب اختيار المرشحين لجائزة الفكاهة الدولية تشيلي لعام 2025
تُمنح جائزة الفكاهة العالمية للعاقل سنويًا ضمن فئتين:
أ) الفرد المتميز: يُمنح للباحث أو المفكر أو المروج للفكاهة.
ب) المؤسسة المتميزة: تُمنح للمنظمة أو المركز أو الكيان الذي يُعزز المعرفة أو الممارسة أو نشر الفكاهة لأغراض ثقافية أو فنية أو تعليمية أو اجتماعية.
تقدمت للمسابقة 105 ترشيحات من 33 دولة
Outstanding Individuals (in alphabetical order):
Abbas Naaseri (Iran)
Owner, CEO, and editor of the international cartoon and caricature news website www.cartoonmag.com. He has received awards and recognition for his work in Iran, China, Germany, Italy, Morocco, South Korea, and other countries. He served as the executive and artistic director of more than 25 national and international comics and caricature festivals. He is a member of the editorial boards of Nasim Newspaper, Atrak Newspaper, Etefaghiyeh Newspaper, Etafaghan Weekly, and Bache Mashad Monthly Magazine. He has compiled more than 2,000 works in local, national, and international press. He has held solo and group exhibitions in various countries. He has served as a judge for various cartoon competitions. He publishes weekly newsletters, each with a powerful and useful article. He is a pillar promoting transparency and integrity in the world of cartooning. He founded the Global Village Cartoonists Foundation.
Abdallah El-Sawy (Egypt)
Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Abdallah El-Sawy Foundation for the Preservation of Egyptian Caricature Heritage, a civil organization affiliated with Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity. A researcher specializing in the history of Egyptian caricature. In January 2012, he individually founded the Memory of Caricature project without receiving financial support from any person or institution inside or outside Egypt. Over ten years, he has collected more than 100,000 caricatures. He has published 14 books about pioneers of Egyptian caricature art and organized seven commemorative exhibitions since 2019. In 2021, he founded Caricature for All, aimed at spreading and teaching caricature art to children, youth, and adults free of charge—benefiting more than 500 participants. In 2023, he established and held the first edition of the Damanhour International Women’s Caricature Festival—the first event of its kind in Egypt and the Middle East dedicated to addressing women’s issues through caricature art, and the first caricature festival accredited by Egypt’s Ministry of Culture. He has organized numerous local and international competitions, exhibitions, and festivals in the field of caricature.
Ana Beatriz Flores (Argentina)
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literature, a Master’s in Socio-semiotics (CEA UNC), and a Ph.D. in Literature from the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities at the National University of Córdoba. She was a Full Professor in the courses Literary Theory and Methodology I and Theory of Social Discourses I at the School of Letters. She has led and participated in research on humor, discourse, and the politics of humor discourse in Argentine culture. She has extensive academic experience, having supervised undergraduate and postgraduate theses and advised research teams. Her academic rank was Research Professor, Category 2 at her institution, indicating recognized excellence in research. She is a member of the International Society for Humor Studies. Publications: Critical Dictionary of Humor Terms and Brief Encyclopedia of Argentine Humor Culture (2014, National University of Córdoba Press) — a collective work under her direction that defines key humor-related concepts (laughter, joke, irony, parody, satire, etc.) from historical, philosophical, and semiotic perspectives. The Rumor of Humor: Research Conferences – Innovation, Ruptures, and Transformations in Argentine Humor Culture (2017, National University of Córdoba, ISBN 978-950-33-1339-8, digital edition), general coordination by Ana Beatriz Flores. Major articles include: “Man, the Laughing Animal: Libertarian Politics and Contemporary Argentine Humor” (2013) — explores humor’s relationship with social change and humor discourse politics; “Humor and the Rules: Transgression?” (with María Florencia Ortiz, 2014) — reflects on popular humor in Córdoba, discursive strategies, and potential transgressions of social or humorous norms; “Politics of Humor in Argentine Humor Culture: Innovation and Tradition” (2017) — presents findings from the Humor Researchers Group (GIH) and maps contemporary humor production in various forms.
António Antunes (Portugal)
Caricaturist. He has received awards for his work in countries such as Portugal, Canada, France, Sweden, and Italy, among others, and has held solo exhibitions in Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France, China, and the Netherlands. He was featured in the anthologies The 1970s: Best Political Cartoons of the Decade (McGraw-Hill, New York, USA), The Finest International Political Cartoons of Our Time (Wittyworld Books, USA, 1992), The Finest International Political Cartoons of Our Time II (Wittyworld Books, USA, 1993), and Cartoonmeter (Wittyworld Books, USA, 1994). Author of Lisbon Figures, a collection of 50 caricatures of prominent figures from the political, cultural, and artistic life of Lisbon, engraved in bas-relief stone at the “Aeroporto” station of the Lisbon Metro. As an organizer and promoter of cartoon art, he founded CARTOONXIRA in 1999, which he continues to manage. It is an annual exhibition of the best Portuguese cartoonists, accompanied by retrospectives of major international artists. He is also the founder and director (since 2005) of the World Press Cartoon festival. He has organized exhibitions in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Serbia, China, India, Mozambique, Brazil, and Mexico. During the Centenary of the Portuguese Republic, he organized a retrospective exhibition on Leal da Câmara. Together with Carlos Brito, he curated an exhibition on 200 Years of French Graphic Humor in Rio de Janeiro. In 2005, the President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, awarded him the Order of Infante Dom Henrique (Grand Officer). In 2023, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa awarded him the Order of Liberty (Commander rank).
Aziz Yavuzdoğan (Turkey)
Caricaturist, journalist, and writer. He began his journalism career in Istanbul in 1981, working as an art director for various newspapers and magazines. He retired in 2008 as art director of the Milliyet newspaper’s supplements and the children’s magazine Miço. His cartoons have appeared in numerous publications, and he has illustrated many books and covers, making major contributions to graphic design. He has won several awards. From 1989 to 1994, he worked in Northern Cyprus as a graphic designer and deputy editor of the newspapers KIBRIS and ORTAM. He served as a broadcast consultant for the 13-episode caricature program Çizgili Program on TRT’s educational channel Okul. Between 2006 and 2013, he was a board member and secretary of the Turkish Cartoonists Association. He has held 10 solo exhibitions and participated in many collective ones. He has published six cartoon books and two poetry collections. From 2008 to 2010, he worked in literary publishing, launching Forum Edebiyat and FE Magazine. Between 2012 and 2018, he began publishing FENAMİZAH magazine, Turkey’s first international digital humor magazine, which continues with contributions from international cartoonists and writers. In 2014, he created a weekly humor magazine for Sakarya Gazetesi, the oldest newspaper in Eskişehir, where he drew daily editorial cartoons for the front page. He also led cartoon workshops at the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Youth Center. In 2018, he was named Caricaturist of the Year in Eskişehir at the Best of 2018 Awards by the Eskişehir Art Association. In 2024, he received the Humor Service Award from the Cyprus Cartoonists Association.
Chen Zhu (China)
He began publishing cartoons in 1993 and since then has published more than 20,000 works in over 200 newspapers and media outlets in China. He has received more than 150 international awards in over 50 countries and regions around the world. He is also a curator and, over the past 20 years, has participated in the planning, organization, and co-organization of more than 50 international cartoon competitions, exhibitions, and other events. He has served as a juror in more than 50 contests both in China and abroad. As a cartoon editor, during the last 10 years he has edited more than 1,500 cartoon sections, including over 700 international sections. He is Vice President of the international cartoon organization FECO (Federation of Cartoonists Organizations) in China. For more than a decade, he has been providing information to Chinese cartoonists every month and has produced over 120 internal electronic publications, promoting exchanges between Chinese and international cartoonists. He is also actively involved in introducing international cartoon contests, organizations, and artists to China, helping Chinese cartoonists become more familiar with their colleagues and their works from around the world, and fostering both national and international communication and collaboration.
Don Lee Fred Nilsen and Alleen Pace Nilsen (United States)
Scholars, researchers, and promoters of humor. Both are Professors Emeriti at Arizona State University and co-founders of the International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS). Don served as the organization’s first president, and Alleen followed as president in 2000. They continue to serve as ISHS historians. They contribute to annual humor conferences held worldwide, providing young humor scholars with bibliographies, PowerPoint presentations, and USB archives to support their ongoing humor research. Their interests focus on sophisticated discursive forms such as double meanings, symbolism, metaphor, irony, parody, paradox, wit, humor, comedy, and tragicomedy. Selected Publications: Humor in American Literature: A Selected Annotated Bibliography (Routledge, 1992); Humor in Irish Literature: A Reference Guide (Greenwood Press, 1996); Humor in Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century British Literature (Greenwood Press, 1998); Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Humor (Oryx Press, 2000; co-authored with Alleen Nilsen); The Language of Humor: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2018; co-authored with Alleen Nilsen). In 2014, both received the Doug Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor for their significant contributions to understanding and applying humor.
Dražen Jergović (Croatia)
He is a humor and satire writer, Vice President and Coordinator of the Croatian Association of Aphorists and Humorists (UHAH), a member of the Croatian Writers’ Society, and a board member of the Croatian Society of Children’s and Young Adult Writers. He is also the editor-in-chief of the monthly digital magazine Uh!Aha, created during the pandemic to help isolated people maintain a cheerful and optimistic spirit. The magazine has already published 70 issues and remains his most ambitious and culturally significant project in Croatia. He has organized humor contests for children, published books, and contributed to numerous newspapers and magazines. He promotes international cooperation with literary associations, editorial teams, and journals devoted to humor, satire, and caricature. He has received several major awards and distinctions. Dražen Jergović is not only an author but also an outstanding organizer, editor, and promoter of humor.
Elcio Danilo Russo Amorim “EDRA” (Brazil)
Cartoonist, curator, producer, and creative professional. Director of the prestigious International Humor Salon of Caratinga, Brazil. He has received multiple national and international awards and honors. Winner of the HQ MIX Trophy (2019) — Latin America’s largest comic and humor award, regarded as the “Oscar” of its kind in Brazil. He founded the Casa Ziraldo de Cultura and Gibiteca Turma do Pererê (Caratinga, 2009), and has organized festivals, exhibitions, book fairs, and other cultural events. He has served as a juror in contests held in Brazil, China, Romania, Iraq, and Iran. He has published 38 books. Director and editor of HUAI – Humor All Year Round magazine, and contributor to countless publications. Creator of the Jal & Gual Trophy, which has honored hundreds of artists, journalists, researchers, biographers, editors, cultural agents, and event organizers for their efforts to promote and preserve Brazilian graphic humor, under the title “Contribution to National Graphic Humor”. He also conducts free drawing workshops for underprivileged children and similar community events.
Enrique Gallud Jardiel (Spain)
He has devoted his academic and literary life to the study and creation of humor. His family connection to the famous humorist Enrique Jardiel Poncela (his maternal grandfather) led him to humor from childhood. He has enjoyed reading, researching, and writing humorous texts throughout his life, as well as giving lectures on laughter, its causes, techniques, and uses. In academia, he has produced numerous publications, including — besides various articles — two standout books: Theory and Mechanisms of Humor (Editorial Carpe Diem, 1999) and How to Write Humor (Editorial Pie de Página, 2020). He holds two PhDs in Hispanic Philology, both with humor-related dissertations: Comic Devices in the Figure of Wit: Spanish Theater of the 17th Century (1983; published by Editorial Ápeiron, 2023) and The Theater of Jardiel Poncela: A Poetics of Implausible Humor (2010; published by Editorial Fundamentos, 2011). He has also written monographs on comic theater, such as Pedro Muñoz Seca and Astracán (Editorial Fundamentos, 2013) and The Dramaturgy of Jacinto Benavente (Editorial Antígona, 2015). As a creator, he is the author of more than one hundred humor books in various genres, specializing in satire and literary or historical parody — including theater, poetry, narrative, and humorous essays. He has also taught numerous workshops and seminars on humor writing. Since 1995, he has directed the Compañía Teatral Barbieri in Madrid, a troupe specializing in Spanish comic theater.
Gogu Neagoe (Romania)
Born in Olt County, Romania, in 1976, he is one of the leading figures in Romanian art and culture. His works are held in art museums in Australia, the United States, Iran, France, Italy, Germany, China, Japan, Bulgaria, Belgium, and Greece. He has received numerous national and international awards and is regarded as Romania’s most acclaimed caricaturist, with world and European titles. In 2013, he donated four paintings worth €15,000 to a charity event supporting sick and underprivileged children in Bucharest. He holds a record for drawing the most portraits in a limited time — 246 caricatures in just six hours without a break — during a charity event on March 1, 2020. He has also made portraits and caricatures for blood donors and doctors at the Bucharest Blood Transfusion Center as a token of gratitude. Between November 16 and 19, he organized an event where he drew and gifted 120 artistic portraits per day, according to a press release from the same center.
He also initiated and coordinated the art contest “My Most Beautiful School” for children aged 6–16 from rural communities in Olt County, encouraging creativity among younger generations. He was the official caricaturist for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he drew portraits of famous athletes such as David Popovici, Novak Djokovic, Sabrina Voinea, and others.
John A. Lent (United States)
Scholar and researcher of graphic humor. He taught at universities from 1960 to 2011, in the Philippines, Malaysia, Canada, China, and the United States. He has written or edited about 90 books and monographs, roughly 1,000 articles, and delivered hundreds of keynote speeches and academic presentations at major universities, conferences, and symposia across all continents. He has also held visiting professorships in China, Canada, and Malaysia. His books include Asian Comics, Asian Political Cartoons, Comics Art in China, and Comics Art in Korea — all published by the University Press of Mississippi.
He is the founder, editor, and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Comic Art, and Professor Emeritus at Temple University. Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, he has been a pioneer in teaching and research in the fields of mass communication and popular culture in Asia and the Caribbean, as well as comics, animation, and communication for development. He has edited three journals — including the International Journal of Comic Art — and founded at least six international academic associations and the first university-level School of Communication in Malaysia.
Jorge Alberto Piñero Estrada “JAPE” (Cuba)
Audiovisual producer, writer, journalist, humorist, and promoter and defender of good humor. In 1988, he joined the literary and theatrical creation group Nos y Otros, which set a benchmark in Cuban literature and theater during those years. As a humor writer, he has contributed to various Cuban, Mexican, Spanish, Guatemalan, and U.S. magazines and publications. He has produced several radio programs and was a co-founder, designer, and producer of Aquelarre magazine, part of the Cuban Young Humorists Movement. He has published several books, including Homosapiens (2006) and History of Caricature in Cuba (2007), co-authored with cartoonist Arístides Hernández (ARES). He also published Mermelada JAPE, illustrated by prominent Cuban and international cartoonists, including notable names such as Tomy, Manuel, Ares, Ajubel, Cartucho, Garrincha, Lauzán, Lázaro, Jerez, Martirena, Laz, and Adán, among others.He carried out a research project on the 20 most influential figures in 20th-century Cuban graphic humor and has received multiple awards for his literary work, as a member of Nos y Otros (1989–1997), and as an audiovisual creator. For his research and cultural promotion work related to humor, he has participated in various events held in Cuba, Spain, Mexico, and other countries. He has served as a juror in numerous national and international contests. He produces the documentary series To Live and Die of Laughter, about the history of Cuban humor. In October 2016, he received the Mariposa Award in recognition of his work dedicated to humor, particularly his research and humorous writing for dedeté magazine. In 2017, his documentary CPH-Aquelarre won an award for its in-depth historical exploration of humor in Cuba. As part of the organizing committee, he planned and participated in the First National Workshop on Press, Humor, and Identity, where he presented the lecture Bufo in the Cuban Press of the 21st Century. For over 30 years, he has been an organizer, promoter, and scholar of the International Biennials of Graphic Humor held in San Antonio de los Baños. He has received numerous prestigious national awards and distinctions for his three-decade-long career as a creator and promoter of humor.
Néstor Rubén Juárez Bitz (Argentina)
He is a cartoonist, humorist, journalist, writer, editor, and layout designer. In 1981, he created the journalistic magazine Blandengue and Berp! Provechitos de Humor, in Rojas and for the northern area of the province of Buenos Aires. From Concordia, he launched the Entre Ríos magazine Panza Verde: Un Mate Recreativo on January 1, 1987, considered one of the longest-running humor publications still in circulation in Argentina (and, according to many, in Latin America), along with various supplements, including the literary one El pescador de letras. In 1995, he founded the magazine Humor 3200 in Concordia. In 2000, he was invited to collaborate—connecting Latin American humorists—for the edition of the 21 volumes of Historia del Humor Gráfico Latinoamericano, published by the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain. He is also the founder and director of Editorial Panza Verde (EPV), which has published 130 books to date, 38 of which are his own. He has published his humorous works and journalistic columns in newspapers and magazines from Entre Ríos, throughout Argentina, and abroad. He has participated in numerous exhibitions at the provincial and national levels, as well as in Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, and others. To celebrate the 100th issue of Panza Verde, he organized the regional, national, and international graphic humor exhibition Concordia también ríe (“Concordia Also Laughs”). He has written comic scripts and created humorous and comic characters. Currently, he publishes in Panza Verde, Barriletes (Entre Ríos), and La Matraca, the Sunday political humor supplement of the newspaper Al Día (Guatemala), where he also served as a jury member in the International Cartoon Contest celebrating the supplement’s 19th anniversary, as well as in numerous digital outlets. In January 2017, Panza Verde celebrated its 30th anniversary, earning coverage in provincial and national media, and international commentary—from Guatemala to the Turkish magazine Fena Mizah, distributed throughout the East and Europe. He currently directs the magazines Panza Verde Internacional, EntreGuay, and Editorial Panza Verde.
Osvaldo Macedo de Sousa (Portugal)
Historian, writer, curator, promoter, producer, and national and international researcher of caricature; curator of more than 300 exhibitions and author of over 40 studies and biographies of cartoonists. He holds a degree in History from the Faculty of Letters of Lisbon. As a cultural producer and historian of graphic humor, he has organized over three hundred exhibitions, conferences, cartoon festivals, and events in many countries. In the press, he has published art reviews, columns, interviews, and feature articles. He was the coordinator of the humor supplement Bronkit of the newspaper Trevim (from 2000 to 2004, with a second edition beginning in 2009). He was the director of the Stuart Gallery (1984–1985) and the Casa do Humor in Lisbon (1989–1990). He served as curator for the Celebration of 150 Years of Caricature in Portugal (1997); AmadoraCartoon at the Amadora International Comics Festival (since 1999…); the Portuguese representation at the Ourense Caricature Biennial (since 1998); exhibitions at the Lérida Humor Biennial – Humoràlia (in 2003 and 2005)… and many more events. He is coordinator of Humorgrafe, a Portuguese production company of graphic humor events (with over 300 initiatives). He was director of the National Press Humor Salon (1987–2006), the National Free Humor Salon (1998–2003), the Luso-Galician Caricature Salon in Vila Real (since 1997), the Fest Int. Humor de Praia de Espinho (2000), the Raiano Humor Biennial – Idanha-a-Nova (2002–2004), and the Luís d’Oliveira Guimarães Humor Biennial – Penela (since 2008). Author of more than 300 books, including two dozen studies on the subject, such as Del humor de la caricatura, 150 Years of Caricature in Portugal, Arab Humor, Black Humor, That Comic Being, History of Graphic Humor in Portugal (Spanish edition), History of the Art of Press Caricature in Portugal (5 volumes), What Is Graphic Humor?, among others. He has studied and researched humor in many countries, as well as humor museums around the world, and topics like “The Aging of Humor.” He was awarded the Balanito Especial prize in 1998 at Moura BD; in 1999 by GICAV with the Anim’Arte 99 Special Award; in 2006, he received the Caricature Oscar from a group of cartoonists marking his 25 years of activity; and in 2018, during the 50th anniversary of the newspaper TREVIM, he received the Recognition Award for his contribution to humor.
Raed Khalil (Syria)
Writer, journalist, poet, cartoonist, designer, playwright, and theater director, as well as television producer and presenter. He has directed the Syria International Cartoon Contest since 2005. He has served as a jury member in competitions in Iran, Turkey, Brazil, China, Azerbaijan, India, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt, South Korea, Iraq, Algeria, Syria, and Germany. He has received over 225 international recognitions: 10 in Syria, and others in Belgium, Italy, Turkey, Japan, Iran, Poland, Cyprus, China, Taiwan, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Brazil, and more. He has published eight books of cartoons and art criticism, which he has distributed free of charge. He won the Arab Journalism Award in Dubai in 2013 and the State Award from the Syrian Ministry of Culture in 2018. He is a member of the Union of Arab Writers. He has helped promote the art of caricature for decades and founded the globally renowned Syrian Cartoon website, which has become a resource for artists and sites worldwide. He also encouraged and supported the creation of the first cartoon contests in Iraq, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Yemen.
Ricardo Guzmán Wolffer (Mexico)
He is a lawyer and writer (narrator, poet, and playwright), author of short stories and science fiction. He is a columnist for the newspaper La Jornada and has contributed to Revistas de Revistas (Excélsior), Los Universitarios (UNAM), Hojas de Utopía, Origina, Generación, Biombo Negro, Asimov, and several newspapers including Nacional, Excélsior, La Jornada, El Imparcial, Noticias, and Hora, as well as the literary bulletin La Bellota and the magazines Renacimiento, Chilango, El Mundo del Abogado, Iter Criminis (INACIPE), and the Semanario Judicial of the Superior Court of Porto Alegre, Brazil.
He has published around twenty books, known for their broad sense of humor and sharp focus on contemporary issues, using humor as a vehicle for intelligent critique—frank, unusual, energetic, and delightfully witty—producing didactic, humane, and always surprising humor, resulting in a highly effective and personal style. He has received several awards for his literary work. He is the creator of the podcast Literatura y Derecho (“Literature and Law”), where he critically and insightfully analyzes humorous works, extending his study to humor theory and its applications. Many of his podcast episodes are adapted into excellent written pieces, published as a regular columnist in Humor Sapiens.
Rocío Aguilera Vallejo and Lucila Farace (Argentina)
They both hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). Both have developed outstanding careers in the field of research and data analysis applied to communication and consumption: Rocío is a market researcher at Kantar Insight Argentina, and Lucila Farace is an audience analyst at La Nación +. The final project carried out by Aguilera Vallejo and Farace received the highest grade (10) in its presentation at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), under the supervision of Professor Damián Fraticelli as tutor. The project stood out for its theoretical solidity, quantitative and qualitative approach, originality, and social relevance. Moreover, this year it was awarded the Prize of the Quevedo Institute of the Arts of Humor, granted by the University of Alcalá (Spain), as the best undergraduate thesis on humor in Ibero-America. This international recognition was granted within a shortlist that included works from across Europe and Latin America, further highlighting its quality and impact. They have made significant contributions to the academic field. Their undergraduate thesis, titled “The Figurations of Women on Instagram by Humorists during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” analyzes from a socio-semiotic perspective how women are represented in humorous productions on social networks during a time of global crisis. This work stands out for addressing an underexplored area in the field: the interrelation between gender, laughter, and the pandemic.
Seyyed Abdolmahdi Askari (Iran)
He has collaborated for 20 years with Iranian magazines in the fields of caricature, satirical writing, and satirical poetry. He has also written poetry and literary articles for the satirical magazines Khatkhati and Kashideh (Tehran), and newspapers such as Khabar-e Jonoub and Tolou (Shiraz), among others. He has published over ten scholarly articles in international journals and conferences and is a member of the Fars Humor Society. He has received awards for his graphic work. He holds a master’s degree in Persian Language and Literature from Shiraz University, Iran. Given his long experience in satire, caricature, and cartooning, as well as his two decades of collaboration with the satirical magazine Tanz-o-caricature—directed by the internationally renowned cartoonist Javad Alizadeh—he chose to study the satire featured in Tanz-o-caricature as the subject of his master’s thesis (350 pages). This thesis received an “Excellent” grade and earned him his degree from Shiraz University, also winning first place in Iran’s National Thesis Festival in the field of literature (certificate attached to the email). In addition, an article based on this research was published in a prestigious journal of the University of Tehran, Iran, which holds a high academic ranking.
Tao Xiaoming (China)
President of the Zhejiang Cartoonists Association, China. He was named one of China’s first Cultural Influencers by Forbes. For over three decades, he has been actively devoted to the field of Chinese humorous cartooning. He has repeatedly organized large-scale national cartoon exhibitions and served as chief editor for numerous collections of humorous cartoons and portrait albums. Each year, he organizes numerous cartoon art events, making an indelible contribution to the development of Chinese humorous cartooning. Over the past thirty years, he has invested several million RMB in organizing cartoon exhibitions and publishing related albums. At the Third Modern Chinese Humorous Cartoon Exhibition, the Cartoon Art Committee of the China Artists Association—the country’s top authority in the field—awarded him the Outstanding Contribution Award. The organizing committee of the exhibition also granted him the title of Ambassador of Humor.
Outstanding Institutions (in alphabetical order):
Tondela Cândido de Figueiredo School Group (Portugal)
It is the only school in the world that organizes and promotes humorous comics as a learning process, integrating them into its curriculum and recognizing the importance of caricature, comics, creative thinking, and humor—always framed within the Charter of Human Rights. In addition, it promotes an international competition that has already honored students from Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, Brazil, Russia, and Portugal, as well as many professional creators. The institution has organized several exhibitions throughout Portugal.
Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH)
Founded in 1987 by registered nurse Alison L. Crane, one of the leading speakers of the 1980s on the therapeutic uses of humor in healthcare. At AATH, the science behind humor and laughter is studied, as well as how humor can be intentionally applied to improve people’s lives. In 1996, the organization launched its website (www.aath.org). In October 2001, AATH changed its name to the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor to reflect its international membership and its focus on both the theoretical and applied aspects of integrating humor into various therapeutic modalities. Its goals include: developing a community of people interested in humor and/or laughter; functioning as an interdisciplinary network for its members; educating professionals and the public about the applied and therapeutic uses of humor and laughter; disseminating relevant information through conferences, publications, websites, and networking opportunities; developing, promoting, conducting, and identifying research needs that deepen the understanding of the applied and therapeutic role of humor and laughter in wellbeing; and encouraging, supporting, and publicizing innovative programs that incorporate the applied and therapeutic uses of humor and laughter.
Iraqi House of Caricature
It is the first genuine civil organization in Iraq entirely dedicated to the art of caricature, comics, and animation. Founded with the vision of preserving, promoting, and developing the culture of humor and visual satire, it has become a reference point for both established artists and emerging talents across the country. The organization revived and institutionalized the celebration of Iraqi Caricature Day, honoring the legacy of pioneering artists and revitalizing national appreciation for this art form. Over the years, it has organized dozens of national and international caricature competitions, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and educational programs for young people and children. One of its most innovative achievements was producing and reviving Iraq’s first animation projects, paving the way for new generations of visual storytellers. The organization has also carried out programs dedicated to teaching children the fundamentals of caricature, comics, and animation, helping to sow the seeds of creative expression from an early age. Through its ongoing support of artists, dynamic event organization, and cultural contributions, it has built a platform that not only preserves artistic heritage but also helps define the future of humor in Iraq and beyond.
Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR)
It is the first and only international and interdisciplinary research center dedicated to the academic study of comedy. Based at Brunel University London, United Kingdom, it is directed by Dr. Sharon Lockyer. This international research team is devoted to the scholarly study of comedy. As an interdisciplinary group, it analyzes the production, content, reception, and sociopolitical implications of comedy across various formats and from multiple perspectives. The team successfully brings together leading scholars and writers from the fields of media, sociology, psychology, theatre, drama, film and television, computing, English, creative writing, and social work. Their research examines the production, content, reception, and broader sociopolitical implications of comedy in its many forms—from television sketch shows to comic thrillers. All research and teaching activities are grounded in the conviction that comedy holds significant social, cultural, political, and economic relevance at local, national, and international levels. The center’s objectives include: promoting and facilitating academic research on the interaction between comedy and society; fostering interdisciplinary studies that explore how comedy can be used seriously or humorously, positively or negatively, across all areas of society (business, politics, information technologies, health, education, identity policies, media, arts, and law); contributing to debates relevant to industry and practitioners; providing a mentoring and research skills development hub for research students; and offering undergraduate and postgraduate teaching linked to their core research interests.
Cuban Center for the Promotion of Humor (CPH)
For the past 30 years, it has become a benchmark for creators and a stronghold in defense of humor in all its forms. It emerged from the vibrant Young Humorists Movement that developed in Cuba during the 1980s. From its inception, it established a catalog that included the finest and most innovative examples of intelligent humor, focusing above all on creative thought and artistic quality. Although its main focus has been on stage humor with deep theatrical intent, its work, promotion, and development have embraced all media. Through its National Humor Festival, Aquelarre, it has championed and given prominence to literature, audiovisual works, music, graphic humor, and the visual arts.
In these Aquelarre festivals—organized by the CPH—the Cuban stage and audiences have enjoyed a wide variety of works from across the country, and even internationally, hosting guests from Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and others. The CPH is not only a place that promotes and guides humorists; it is an institute that produces and supports the creation and management of humor projects across all media. Its many achievements include the publication and promotion of over fifty books containing the Aquelarre Literary Awards (plays, film scripts, novels, short stories, etc.), as well as educational materials and scientific research related to humor. It also organizes and sustains events and workshops aimed at cultural, professional, and creative exchange, such as the legendary “Thinking About Humor” meetings, held in collaboration with the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), considered the leading theoretical event within the field, and the equally important “Press, Humor and Identity” meetings, in partnership with the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Among the most notable initiatives created and maintained by the CPH is the National Humor Award, granted in collaboration with the Council of Performing Arts and the Ministry of Culture, a lifetime achievement award honoring the most distinguished figures of Cuban humor in all its manifestations.
“Klyukva” Club (Russia).
The “Club of Lovers of Humor, Caricature, and Funny Aphorisms” was founded in Snezhinka on April 1, 1985. It has organized numerous exhibitions, including outdoor ones, and often presents its works at music and arts festivals. The club’s members have received more than 5,000 awards and distinctions in Japan, Turkey, France, Germany, the United States, Great Britain, South Korea, Portugal, Sweden, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Ukraine, Belgium, Italy, Israel, and, of course, Russia. The Klyukva Club not only receives awards but also grants them: the “Order of the Long Necks” is one of the distinctions it bestows upon individuals, museums, newspapers, theaters, groups, and communities. The club has inaugurated a Caricature Museum in both Ozersk and Snezhinsk.
Forum for Humor and Law (FIRHUM)
Founded in 2022, it serves as a platform for practicing lawyers, legal scholars, humor researchers, artists, and anyone interested in the multifaceted relationship between humor, freedom of expression, and law. It is jointly directed by Dr. Alberto Godioli (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) and Professor Laura E. Little (Temple University School of Law, USA).
Franco Fossati Foundation and WOW Comic Museum (Italy)
In 1996, Luigi F. Bona founded the Franco Fossati Association, which became a Foundation in 2007. It is a non-profit organization that originated from the legacy and heritage of critic and journalist Franco Fossati. The foundation functions as an international center for study and documentation on comics, communication, and visual culture. This cultural institution organizes events, exhibitions, and conferences to promote and enhance the value of the Ninth Art and its vast material and intangible heritage. Thanks to the collections preserved and the expertise of its members—particularly that of director Luigi F. Bona—the foundation created in Milan the WOW Comic Museum, a unique institution in Italy that combines preservation (museum, historical archive, library) and outreach (exhibitions, events, educational activities), while fostering strong ties with its local context (Milan, the “City of Comics”) and with national and international cultural networks.
The foundation serves as a reference point for researchers and scholars and operates as a documentation and research center based on the extensive collection assembled by Franco Fossati, later expanded with donations and loans (including, for instance, the 120,000 comics from Luigi F. Bona’s personal collection). This gradual process of growth is documented in the foundation’s archives, which preserve books and documents dating as far back as the late 19th century. Among its treasures are a series of publications from Il Travaso delle Idee, a satirical newspaper founded in 1900 that continued publishing even under the fascist regime, despite the inevitable censorships.
Humor Positivo (Spain)
Humor Positivo is a Spanish consulting company founded in 2004 by psychologist Eduardo Jáuregui and pedagogue Jesús Damián Fernández, specializing in the application of humor, fun, and positive emotions in the workplace. The firm participates in scientific research on the benefits of humor, publishing books, articles, and a blog on the subject. Over the past twenty years, the consultants of Humor Positivo have contributed to numerous studies in this field. Jesús Damián Fernández is a pioneer in the study of humor applied to pedagogy and author of several books and numerous articles on the subject, including El arte de envejecer con humor (Aljibe, 2012), Educar con humor (Aljibe, 2009), and El valor pedagógico del humor en la educación social (Desclée de Brouwer, 2010). Eduardo Jáuregui developed his own causal theory of laughter in his doctoral dissertation Situating Laughter (European University Institute, Florence, 1998) and has published many scholarly articles, some presented at national and international forums such as the conferences of the International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS). He is also the author of two popular science books summarizing research findings—El sentido del humor: manual de instrucciones (RBA Integral, 2007) and Amor y Humor (RBA Integral, 2009)—and has translated two English-language books on humor for Desclée de Brouwer publishers, in addition to supervising the Spanish translation of Rod Martin’s The Psychology of Humor. Both Eduardo and Jesús served on the scientific committee of the 20th ISHS Conference.
Institute of Humor Studies, Diego Portales University (Chile)
Founded in 2007, its main objective is to promote education and reflection on humor. Its mission is to highlight the major milestones and figures who practice humor in Chile, primarily through the National Humor Award, granted annually.
The institute also regularly invites creators exploring humorous forms and themes to examine and discuss the mechanisms of humor—with a focus on the thoughtful and in-depth perspectives of the creators themselves, in collaboration with the broader university community. The Institute of Humor Studies (IEH) serves as a bridge between academia and the living practice of humor in Chile, exploring new ways of creating and understanding humor through journalism, literature, advertising, and other academic disciplines
Quevedo Institute of Humor Arts (IQH)
The Quevedo Institute of Humor Arts (IQH) is a center for the study, dissemination, and research of humor. It was created on December 20, 2011, by the Board of Trustees of the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá (FGUA), Spain, with the purpose of expanding, transforming, and promoting graphic humor within the academic and university environment.
Among its objectives are: facilitating communication and cooperation between the university community and public or private institutions interested in humor studies and research; consolidating and expanding teaching activities at undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education levels, aimed at deepening knowledge of the various aspects and expressions of humor; promoting research activities and disseminating results through publications and the media; and developing international cooperation initiatives related to its mission. The IQH grants every two years the Ibero-American Quevedos Award for Graphic Humor and the Quevedos-Dos Children’s Prize. It also co-organizes the GIN-UAH International Graphic Humor Contest annually, as well as awards for undergraduate and graduate theses and doctoral dissertations focused on humor.
Clowns Without Borders (Payasos sin Fronteras)
The artists of this Spanish non-governmental organization (NGO) spread love through their performances, generating positive emotions and sharing joy and hope. Laughter helps relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress, creates moments of comfort and happiness, and fosters solidarity and a sense of community.
The organization’s mission is to heal hearts, build resilience, and provide emotional support to children who have experienced violence or catastrophe. They work wherever they are needed most: over the past 30 years, Clowns Without Borders artists have performed in more than 65 countries across four continents.
International Humor Exhibition of Piracicaba (Brazil)
Founded in 1974, it emerged as a symbol of freedom of expression during the Brazilian military dictatorship. Over time, it has become a cultural landmark of global scope, serving as a key platform for discovering new talents and exhibiting works by established artists from diverse nationalities. In 2020, driven by the pandemic, the exhibition held its first virtual edition. Today, it is regarded as the largest event of its kind in the Americas and one of the most prestigious worldwide. The event functions as a vital showcase for cartoonists, illustrators, and caricaturists from Brazil and around the world, fostering artistic exchange and career development.
International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS)
The International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS) is a non-profit academic and professional organization dedicated to advancing research on humor. Many of its members are university and college professors specializing in the arts and humanities, biological and social sciences, and education. The society also includes professionals in counseling, management, nursing, journalism, and theater. Its members study the many facets of humor—its role in business, entertainment, and healthcare, as well as its cultural, age-related, gender-based, functional, and contextual variations. As part of its activities, the ISHS publishes the quarterly journal Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, produces a newsletter, organizes webinars, and hosts an annual international conference held in various countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, France, Luxembourg, Australia, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, China, and others.
International Society for Luso-Hispanic Humor Studies (ISLHS)
The ISLHS promotes the study and appreciation of humor across all contexts where Spanish and Portuguese are spoken. Its main goal is to encourage research in all areas related to humor within Luso-Brazilian and Hispanic contexts, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and the exchange of knowledge within a diverse and growing scholarly community. Its meetings—originally held annually and, after the pandemic, biennially—have taken place at prestigious academic institutions. The ISLHS conferences bring together researchers from multiple fields within the humanities and social sciences, including literature, linguistics, graphic and performing arts, history, communication, law, psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, education, and health sciences. All participants share a common interest in understanding humor as a complex phenomenon shaped by cultural, social, and political tensions.
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Director | Raed Khalil
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موقع الكارتون الســـوري
مدير الموقع: رائد خليـــل
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