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- Country of residence: Palestine
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In September of last year, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture launched a training course entitled “The Art of Caricature,” with a duration of (30) training hours, in which the cartoonist Hisham Shamali lectured. It produced a group of talented caricature artists who clamored to; To participate in international competitions; As representatives of Palestine.
Muhammad Al-Hato (23 years old), one of the graduates of the caricature art course, who studies the specialty of anesthesia and resuscitation, tells us: His specialty is far from the art of caricature, but his first drawing that he made on the wall of his room was the first motivation that pushed him to search for a foothold. In the world of cartoons.
Al-Hattu adds: “The beginning of my lines was not fluent. Rather, they were scribbles, and with training they came together to embody a conscious idea to express the life situations he encounters in his community.”
Al-Hato considers his participation in the “Kero Cartoon” competition and the German “Wilt Hemt” competition entitled “Humanity and War” to be the beginning of his participation in international competitions. He aspires to win first place, raise the name of Palestine, represent it in an honorable manner, and communicate the suffering of his people to the entire world.
Yasmine Baalousha (23 years old) did not expect that one training course would move her from a feeling of interest to a passion for the art of caricature, which became a part of her life.
The art of caricature is considered to have an important role as a tool for communication between societies despite their differences in knowledge, ideas, languages, and nationalities, because of its serious importance in reflecting different lives and shedding light. To learn about the Palestinian issue and current events, and to advocate for the Palestinian people.
She credits the Ministry of Culture for what she has achieved, which provided her with adequate training and care in giving her a degree of knowledge in the art of caricature.
She says: “I am eagerly awaiting the results of the international “Lit Hemet” competition, which is my first participation, and I am hopeful of obtaining an advanced position in it.”
“The opportunity to participate in international competitions is a very special opportunity.” This is how Ihab Shalla (26 years old), who specializes in multimedia technology, began his talk about his participation in the 22nd international “Euro Cartoon” competition in Belgium about the wall, and the fifth international competition in Syria about time, which he applied to after graduating from the caricature art course from the Ministry of Culture. Which worked to hone his talents and artistic skills.
Saleh adds: “I follow the style of mixing the past and the present, and I embody it in many of my artistic paintings. I tend toward the sports side, due to my intense love for football, and the social side, because it has an important role in presenting the problems of the surrounding society.”
He hopes to reach advanced qualification stages in computer drawing, and to reach talented personalities, such as: Naji Al-Ali, Ahmed Al-Sahar, and Fathi Ghaben. Saleh thanked the efforts made by the Ministry of Culture and its offering of such courses.
For his part, Hisham Shamali, the course trainer, explains: “The art of caricature is a free art that represents a state of rebellion; to convey a strong and simple idea, with a deep drawing that summarizes a lot of words, and the coexistence of the issues of Palestinian society, related to families, Jerusalem, refugees... and the daily suffering of the Palestinian person.” ".
Etaf Al-Najili (26 years old), majoring in information and communications technology, believes that despite the limited capabilities of her tools, colors, and paintings, she was challenged by the least capabilities. To receive her identity and personality in the art of caricature.
Al-Najili points out that caricature goes beyond writing, as it is a universal language that can be understood worldwide, because of its important role in defending human rights issues and conveying the message from the caricaturist to the viewer.
It turned out that she participated in the “Saroukh Khan” competition in the art of caricature portraiture in Cairo, organized by the Caricature Museum in Fayoum, and she hopes to win it. To be a strong motivation for perseverance and continuity. To reach the advanced level.
She thanked the Ministry of Culture for its efforts, and called for more support, effort, and work on advanced rehabilitation courses that help young people make future plans. To create job opportunities that bring financial returns to them.
Shamali expresses his pleasure that the Ministry of Culture has offered such valuable courses, which hone the talents of emerging youth and give them experience in multiple fields. He praises the motivation of the trainees and their endeavor to leave a mark by participating in international competitions and winning international awards.
He expressed his hope that these talented models would win first place. To increase their opportunities at the professional level and provide them with job opportunities, calling for the provision of an incubator that refines the energies of youth and embraces them. To represent Palestine, and convey a message to the whole world, that Palestine is full of art, and that we will fight the occupation with this art.
Atef Askoul, Director General of Arts at the Ministry of Culture, confirms that the Ministry embraces young talents and offers many training courses. To increase their progress and success.
Askoul adds: “We are proud to have graduated a distinguished group of creators in the “Art of Caricature” course, who opened a special exhibition of their artistic products at the end of the course, which embodied a number of issues related to the Palestinian reality, in the presence of a group of prominent figures, including Salama Maarouf, head of the Government Media Office, and his adoption Publishing some distinguished works through Al Rai Agency’s media platforms.
He revealed that the Ministry is currently seeking; To launch a forum that includes many cartoon artists, and an international festival that includes creative works, and work to develop advanced practical qualifying workshops.
He sent a message to the youth about the necessity of knocking on all doors, intensive training, perseverance and creativity, following their passion, not placing restrictions on their ideas, and practicing the art of caricature, which opens up horizons for them that summarize many meanings in one image.
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