Graphic humor, culture, the critical press, are letters that many politicians do not like. The recent news that the President of the Municipal Chamber of the Portuguese town of Caldas da Rainha withdrew the financial support, which until now had been given to the celebration of the World Press Cartoon, in the Cultural and Congress Center of that city since 2017, without warning in time, is a severe blow to graphic humor, political and social satire, press caricature and freedom of expression, dignified and justly recognized by that event.
Portuguese cartoonist Antonio Antunes. Director of the WPC, has expressed on his Facebook page: "This unexpected decision left the World Press Cartoon without the means to launch, in autumn, as is tradition, the call for participation in the following year's competition." (I attach that statement)
"Hi everyone
Graphic humor, culture, the critical press, are letters that many politicians do not like. The recent news that the President of the Municipal Chamber of the Portuguese town of Caldas da Rainha withdrew the financial support, which until now had been given to the celebration of the World Press Cartoon, in the Cultural and Congress Center of that city since 2017, without warning in time, is a severe blow to graphic humor, political and social satire, press caricature and freedom of expression, dignified and justly recognized by that event.
Portuguese cartoonist Antonio Antunes. Director of the WPC, has expressed on his Facebook page: "This unexpected decision left the World Press Cartoon without the means to launch, in autumn, as is tradition, the call for participation in the following year's competition." (I attach that statement)
I believe that it is time for cartoonists, promoters of graphic humor, journalists, humor researchers, lovers of political satire, defenders of art and culture, to express their resounding support for the WPC, an event with global projection and importance that everyone knows, and condemn the political decision to close it down. (I clarify that this is a personal suggestion of mine)
For this I propose that you send an email to Mr. Víctor Manuel Calisto Marqués, President of the Municipal Chamber of Caldas da Rainha, to this email, which is that of the chief journalist of your communication (the other emails do not respond).
imprensa@mcr.pt
You can also do it to the Facebook page of that Calds da Rianha
Thank you very much for that necessary solidarity.
A hug
Francisco Punal Suárez – Cuban journalist - Spanish – www.mundiario.com
(I already did it)
The text of the email can be the following:
Subject: To Mr. President of the Municipal Chamber of Caldas da Rainha:
Sir: With this message we want to express our dissatisfaction and concern, for having radically and surprisingly withdrawn the support that the mayor's office was giving to the realization of the World Press Cartoon, in the Cultural and Congress Center of that city since 2017 , an event of global relevance that gave prestige to that city.
We ask you to reconsider that provision, and to rectify for the good of culture, graphic humor and freedom of expression, so important and vital for humanity.
Thank you
Cordially
