Concluding the Europe Week activities organised by EU Delegation to Albania through its EU Information Network all over the country, a Cartoon National Contest and Exhibition took place in Korca, Albania.
Hundreds of cartoonists’ drawings which have been prepared for over a month (21 March 2016 – 30 April 2016) were delivered to the national contest “Albania towards EU Integration” evaluation committee. Reflecting topics related to priority reforms on judiciary, public administration, fighting corruption, fighting organised crime and human rights which the country is undertaking in the framework of EU Integration process, the works of cartoonists were carefully evaluated by a professional jury which selected 70 artworks which were exhibited at the “ABC” Museum in Korà§a.
“Caricature is one of the finest and boldest arts of journalism and critics,” according to Jan Rudolph, Head of Political, Economic and Information Sector at EU Delegation to Albania.
“It has the freedom to rise when other styles of journalism and the freedom of expression are difficult or even impossible and the EU Delegation has repeatedly stressed that freedom of expression is key to fundamental rights, democracy and good governance and should highly respected by countries like Albania entering the challenging path of EU accession,” Rudolph added.
The first prize was won by Ilma Smalaj for her cartoon about corruption entitled “Mutual visit.” “The identification of Albania’s EU Integration challenges through this contest will help us better address the priority reforms and speed up the process,” said Korca Mayer Sotiraq Filo.
