Themes of the Contest:

1️⃣ Main Theme: "The Artist"
2️⃣ Special Theme (Amnesty International): "Right to everyone who needs shelter"

Deadline for Submissions:

🕛 September 12, 2025 at 12:00 midnight (CET)

Website and Contact Information:

🌐 Submit entries and register via: www.olensekartoenale.be
📧 Contact (for CV and photo only): kartoenale@olen.be
📍 Postal Address for Prize Ceremony and Exhibition:
Town Hall of Olen, Dorp 1, 2250 Olen, Belgium

Contest Rules and Regulations:

1. Participation

• Open to all cartoonists worldwide, regardless of nationality or age.

• Two age categories:
  🔹 Youth: up to 15 years old
  🔹 Adults: 16 years and older

• Both professionals and amateurs may participate.

2. Entries

• Only digital artworks are accepted (no captions).

• Format: JPEG, resolution minimum 300 dpi (2480 x 3543 pixels)

• Size: A4 (21 x 30 cm) including any borders.

• Max 5 entries per theme per participant.

• Register and upload via the website from July 1, 2025.

• CV and photo must be sent within 2 days upon request to: kartoenale@olen.be

3. Copyright and Usage

• Winning works become the property of the organizers or the theme sponsors.

• Selected entries may be used for promotional purposes by the organizers and the municipality of Olen.

4. Jury

• The jury consists of artists, cartoonists, and laypersons.

• All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

5. Catalogue / Cartoon Book

• Selected works will appear in the official catalogue.

• Authors will receive a free copy, either during the award ceremony or by post.

Prizes

🔹 Adult Category

🥇 1st Prize: €1500
🥈 2nd Prize: €700
🥉 3rd Prize: €400
🏅 4th Prize: €300
🎖 City of Bialogard Prize (for Polish artists only): €200
🎖 Amnesty International Special Prize: €500

🔹 Youth Category

🏅 Best International Entry: €250
🏅 Best Belgian Entry: €250

Prize Ceremony and Exhibition

🏆 Award Ceremony:
📅 Friday, November 14, 2025 at 20:00
📍 Council Room, Town Hall of Olen

🎨 Exhibition Dates:
📅 From Sunday, November 17, 2025 until end of December 2025
📍 Same address as the ceremony

Theme Explanations:

🖌️ Main Theme: "The Artist"

From the enigmatic masks of René Magritte to the flamboyant personas of Dalí and Van Gogh, the artist embodies the tension between control and chaos. For 40,000 years, artists have offered visions of harmony, threat, and wonder. Cartoonists are invited to dive into this creative struggle.

🏠 Theme by Amnesty International: "Right to Everyone Who Needs Shelter"

Millions are forced to leave their homes due to war, climate crises, and persecution. The right to seek protection and live with dignity must be upheld. This theme calls for visual commentary on the human right to safety and asylum.

Source:www.olensekartoenale.be