Opening of the International Cartoon Exhibition “Children in War 2” in Drøbak, Norway

The second edition of the international political cartoon exhibition “Children in War 2” officially opened on June 13, 2026, in the coastal town of Drøbak, Norway. Organized by Cartoon Home Network International (CHNI) in cooperation with the Avistegnernes Hus Museum, the exhibition is being held along the outdoor promenade at Lindtrupbakken 1, directly in front of the Cartoonists’ House.

The exhibition coincides with the 10th anniversary of Cartoon Home Network International (CHNI) and is the brainchild of Syrian-Palestinian cartoonist Fadi Abou Hassan. Through the universal language of political cartoons, the project draws attention to the ongoing suffering of children living in war and conflict zones across the globe.

A Global Anti-War Initiative

“Children in War 2” is part of an international traveling exhibition. Its first stop opened in Torhout, Belgium, on May 8, 2026, where it will remain on display until September 30. The Norwegian edition continues this humanitarian journey, presenting artists’ shared opposition to war and violence against children.

Art Integrated into Everyday Life

One of the exhibition’s most distinctive features is its public and accessible format. Thirty selected cartoons are displayed directly on the windows facing the street, transforming the urban promenade into an open-air gallery.

These works were chosen from a remarkable collection of 890 cartoons created by 400 artists from 76 countries. The participating artists, despite their different cultural and geographical backgrounds, are united by a common message: a call to end war and protect childhood.

Unlike traditional exhibitions confined to museum halls and opening hours, “Children in War 2” is accessible to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under the endless daylight of the Norwegian summer. The exhibition will remain open until August 9, 2026.

Artists from Around the World

The exhibition features works by prominent cartoonists representing the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

Among the participating artists are Ameen Al Habarah (Saudi Arabia), Naji Bennaji (Morocco), Fuad Ayyach, Fares Garabet, Nedal Khalil, Mohammad Al-Ali, and Fadi Abou Hassan (Syria), along with Issam Ahmad Odeh and Hassan Manasrah (Palestine/Jordan).

European participants include Firuz Kutal and Trygve Andersen (Norway), Oleg Gutsol (Ukraine), Anne Derenne and Pierre Ballouhey (France), Cristina Bernazzani (Italy), Darko Drljevic (Montenegro), Luc Descheemaeker (Belgium), Miro Stefanović (Serbia), Telmo Quadros Ferreira (Portugal), and Vojtech Krumpolec (Slovakia).

From Asia, Australia, and the Americas, the exhibition includes works by Mohsen Hossaini (Afghanistan), Cival Einstein and Mello (Brazil), Matías Tejeda (Argentina), Hazem Nassar and Firas Bachi (United States), KARRY (Peru), Hitoshi Miura (Japan), Feng Junrong (China), and Simon Kneebone (Australia).

Beyond the Exhibition Space

The opening ceremony also coincided with the release of the first issue of the network’s digital publication, CHNI MAG No. 1 – 2026.

According to the organizers, official photographs from the opening ceremony and public interactions with the exhibition will be published next week. They also confirmed that “Children in War 2” will continue traveling to new international venues, carrying a unified global message against the suffering of children in war and amplifying the voices of young victims to the conscience of the world.

Exhibition Organizer:
Fadi Abou Hassan
Editor-in-Chief, Cartoon Home Network International (CHNI)

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition: Children in War 2
• Location: Lindtrupbakken 1 Promenade, outside Avistegnernes Hus, Drøbak, Norway
• Opening Date: June 13, 2026
• Exhibition Period: Until August 9, 2026
• Organizer: Cartoon Home Network International (CHNI) in cooperation with Avistegnernes Hus Museum
• https://mia.no/avistegnerne