KT artists make winning a habit on world stage

Dubai - The two artists have brought the honours 10 times between themselves

The works of two Khaleej Times artists have won recognition at the 12th World Press Cartoon contest.

Iranian artist Alireza Pakdel, whose cartoon Immigrants won the Grand Prix, was awarded a 10,000 euros cash prize at an "event of humour" held recently at the Portuguese city of Caldas da Rainha.

A caricature of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro by PR Rajendran and a caricature of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo by AU Santhosh Kumar, both KT artists, have made it to the final honours list. Their works are on display till August 10 along with other selected entries at an exhibition marking the event at Caldas da Rainha.

Visitors to the exhibition at the Cultural and Congress Centre of the city can buy a catalogue of the best works published in 168 newspapers and magazines in 51 countries.

This is the sixth time Rajendran has brought the World Press Cartoon honours to Khaleej Times. Santhosh had won the honours four times.

"It's great to be selected from thousands of entries from places as far and wide as Brazil, Ecuador, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Serbia and Switzerland," said Rajendran.

"It's a moment of pride and joy when our works, along with KT's name, are displayed at an international event like this," remarked Santhosh.

Exhibition director, Portuguese cartoonist António Antunes, highlighted the important role humour plays to maintain the vitality of the press. "Cartoons are a critical segment and an exercise of freedom, without which newspapers cannot survive and fulfil their social and civic goals," he said at the award event.

"This is an event that brings to Caldas da Rainha great artists from all over the world who find, as is our tradition, an environment conducive to creation in freedom," said mayor Fernando Tinta Ferreira.

World Press Cartoon, an independent organisation, seeks to honour, exhibit and promote the best drawings that make a retrospective view of the world's current affairs with humour and a sharp eye.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai