International Cartoon Contest “BY BUS” 2026

The Estonian Humour Museum (Eesti Huumorimuuseum), in cooperation with the international bus company Lux Express and Tallinn Bus Station (Tallinna Bussijaam), announces the International Cartoon Contest “BY BUS”.

🎯 Theme: BY BUS

The content of the cartoons must be related to bus transport in its broadest sense.

Possible approaches include:

Bus travel and long journeys
Bus stations and terminals
Drivers and passengers
Local and international transport experiences

Is the bus just a vehicle, or is it a social phenomenon? What happens during a long journey? How does the world look through a bus window? We are looking for witty, clever, and creative interpretations of the theme.

🏆 Prize Fund

1st Prize: 750 € + Diploma
2nd Prize: 500 € + Diploma
3rd Prize: 250 € + Diploma
2 Special Prizes: 150 € each + Diploma
(Intended for Estonian cartoonists to encourage local participation if they do not reach the top three, or awarded as a special prize by Lux Express.)

📌 Rules and Conditions

👤 Participants and Number of Works

Each author may submit an unlimited number of works.
However, only one work per author (the best one) can compete for a prize.

©️ Originality

Previously published works are accepted.
Works that have won prizes in other competitions are not eligible.
The author is responsible for ensuring that the submitted work does not violate third-party copyrights.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

Entries produced using AI text-to-image generating software or platforms are not eligible.
AI-generated artwork or works based on AI-generated content will be disqualified.

🖼️ Technical Requirements

Format: JPG or PNG
Resolution: Minimum 300 dpi (suitable for printing in A3 format or larger)
Color: Color and black-and-white works are accepted
Signed prints: Accepted

🗣️ Language

Cartoons should generally be wordless.
Internationally known abbreviations (OK, SOS, HELP, etc.) are allowed.
As an exception, cartoons may include up to 5 words in English.

📧 Submission Details

Along with the cartoons, the email must include:

First name and surname
Exact postal address (including ZIP/postal code)
Email address
Phone number
A photo and a short CV (recommended)

Email: cartoon@eestihuumor.ee
Postal address:
Eesti Huumorimuuseum
Purku, Rapla vald
Raplamaa, Estonia

📅 Deadline

🗓 March 1, 2026

📢 Results

Winners will be announced no later than April 1, 2026.
Results will be published via media channels and on the organizers’ website.
Awarded participants will be notified personally.

👥 International Jury

Andrus Tamm – Director, Estonian Humour Museum
Heiki Ernits (Estonia)
Valdek Alber (Estonia)
Gatis Šļūka (Latvia)
Heino Prunsvelt (Estonia)
Hugo Osula – Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Lux Express

🖼️ Exhibitions and Catalogue

Selected cartoons will be exhibited at:
- The Estonian Humour Museum (Purku village, Rapla County)
- Tallinn Bus Station
The exhibition may also be presented as a traveling exhibition in other locations across Estonia.
The best 100 cartoons will be published in a thematic catalogue.
All participants will receive a free digital exhibition catalogue (PDF).
The top 20 participants will receive a printed catalogue by mail.

📜 Copyright

The Estonian Humour Museum and Lux Express reserve the right to use the submitted works free of charge for:
- Organizing exhibitions
- Publishing printed materials
- Promotion of the competition and exhibitions in media and advertising materials
  (with full credit to the author).
Submitted digital works will not be returned and will be kept in the museum’s digital archive.
Paper works will be returned upon request; otherwise, they will remain in the museum archive.
For original works, authors may request a certificate of donation.