The “Prix de l’humeur vache” was awarded to Belgian-Israeli Michel Kichka and Moroccan Khalid Gueddar. It was awarded at the Caricature Salon in Saint-Just-le-Martel in the centre of France.
“Our idea is to celebrate two artists living on opposite sides of the Mediterranean, during these times of high tension. They are fighting the same good fight, peace”, declared Gérard Vandenbroucke. He is the President of the Salon for Caricature, drawings and press cartoons, held in Limousin.
Michel Kichka, of Belgian origin, lives in Jerusalem. “In the current climate, with the tragic events in France, this award is a personal honour that we accept in the name of Cartooning for Peace. We are both members of it”, he said.
“We don’t live on the same coast, but Khalid and I have the Mediterranean in common and irreverence in love and respect for the other. This award highlights that, that’s the strength of art”, he said.
His co-nominee Khalid Gueddar has been threatened with death in his country. In 2009, he was sentenced to four years in prison suspended for publishing a caricature of the Moroccan royal family and the national flag which was deemed disrespectful.
“This award aims to draw attention to our fight for peace, to bring cultures closer, and freedom of speech too”, the Moroccan artist said.
The two artists are the successors to Coco, the Charlie Hebdo artist who won it last year.
