Cartooning Syria
editor: Ronald Bos
Illustrators: Syrian cartoonists
Original language: English
Published: April 2017
Publisher: Jurgen Maas
ISBN13: 9789491921360
Price: € 18.90
Age: young adults
Every year on May 3rd it is International World Press Freedom Day. Named in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly to make us aware of the importance of a free press. And at the same time intended to keep governments in line with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
For a variety of reasons, journalists and their families lives are increasingly in danger if they report objectively. Not only in countries at war is it becoming increasingly difficult - in 2016, 93 journalists worldwide were killed while working - but also in Europe the free press is under immens pressure, in Turkey for instance. Read more about the protests of VPRO's Buitenland.
Even though for many press freedom is obvious in The Netherlands, it is good for us to at least once a year stop and think about what these people are risking through their work.
This collection of brilliantly sharp cartoons, made by predominantly Syrian cartoonists (often in exile) tells us about the horrible reality in their country. There are also some Dutch, Flemish and Norwegian cartoonists participating.
Keeping the world's focus on violence, craziness, cruelty and crimes against humanity through cartoons is one of the most important expressions of the free press, as is photography. Cartoons are universal and an image on your retina will not disappear as quickly as words.
3 big, ink black stars for Cartooning Syria! Buy this book!