About the Event

The Art Festival “Mysteries of Huhla” will celebrate its 28th edition this year, recognized as one of Bulgaria’s most beloved and spectacular cultural events.
To expand its artistic scope, the organizers are launching a new major event —
the 1st International Cartoon Competition “Mysteries of Huhla 2026.”

The picturesque village of Huhla, nestled below St. Iliya Peak in the mystical Rhodope Mountains, is famous as the homeland of Orpheus, the legendary Thracian singer-king.
It is also near the archaeological site “The Stones of King Darius”, mentioned by Herodotus, and home to one of the world’s earliest gold mines.
Though today the village has only 29 inhabitants, it boasts the highest number of writers per capita and proudly calls itself “The Center of the World.”

🎯 Theme

“Huhla – The Center of the World.”
Artists are invited to interpret the idea of this small but extraordinary village in their own humorous and creative ways.

🗓️ Deadline

May 31, 2026 (24:00 local time)

📮 Submission Address

Send your works to:
📧 huhlacartoon@abv.bg
with the subject line:
“1st International Cartoon Competition – The Mysteries of Huhla 2026”
Include your name, surname, city, country, and attach your works and biography.

📋 Participation Rules

1. Open to professional and amateur cartoonists worldwide.

2. Cartoons violating general moral principles or containing offensive, political, or harmful content will be excluded.

3. Relatives of jury members may not participate.

4. Technique: Free.
   Attach a short biography (10–12 lines) with your submission.

5. Works must be in JPG format, A4 size (21 × 29.7 cm), 300 dpi resolution.

6. Works must not have been awarded in previous national or international contests.

7. Artists must declare that no AI (Artificial Intelligence) was used.

8. Each participant may send up to 3 cartoons.

9. File naming format:
   FirstName_LastName_Country_Cartoon_1
   (Example: Zhivko_Tenev_Bulgaria_Cartoon_1)

10. Winners not attending the ceremony will receive cash prizes via bank transfer (IBAN required).
    If unclaimed within one year, prizes expire.

11. Selected works may be used by organizers for cultural and promotional purposes only.

12. Participants grant the organizers non-commercial rights to exhibit, publish, and reproduce their works in future editions.

👩‍⚖️ Jury & Awards

The international jury, composed of renowned personalities, will award:
🥇 First Prize: €1000
🥈 Second Prize: €700
🥉 Third Prize: €500
🏅 10 Special Mentions

📆 Competition Schedule

1️⃣ Deadline for entries: May 31, 2026
2️⃣ Jury meeting: June 3, 2026
3️⃣ Results announcement: August 15, 2026
4️⃣ Award ceremony & exhibition opening: August 15, 2026
📜 All selected participants will receive a digital certificate of participation.

📞 Contact

Coordinator: Zhivko Tenev – GISSEN
📱 Tel: +359 885 913 170
📧 Email: gissen@abv.bg

👥 Organizers

• “Hohla” Foundation

• “Rodopi” Publishing House Ltd.