The 21st Caratinga International Humor Salon has opened its international call for entries, inviting cartoonists and caricaturists from around the world to participate in its 2026 edition. Organised by the Caratinga Cultural Station with the support of Caratinga City Hall, the Brazilian event will accept submissions from August 1 to September 20, 2026.
The competitive exhibition will be held in Caratinga, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, from October 19 to 25, 2026.
Artists may submit one original work in each of the salon’s three categories:
Cartoon: Press Professionals
Caricature: Free Theme — vertical format
Thematic Caricature: Geraldo Rodrigues de Carvalho, known as “Geraldo Ratão” — vertical format
The main cartoon category focuses on press and media professionals and their role in contemporary society. The theme invites artists to reflect on journalism, information, power, freedom of expression, ethics, credibility and social responsibility at a time shaped by disinformation, social media, artificial intelligence and rapidly changing communication technologies.
Journalists, reporters, photographers, cinematographers, cartoonists, illustrators, editors, radio broadcasters and other media professionals increasingly work under political, economic and technological pressure. The organisers encourage participants to examine the challenges of separating fact from noise, information from manipulation and public interest from private interests.
The theme also raises questions about the responsibilities of the press in an environment where almost anyone can publish and millions of people can instantly share content. Artists are invited to explore where freedom of expression meets responsibility, how editorial independence can be protected and how journalism can preserve public trust amid censorship, algorithms and the rapid circulation of false information.
Through satire, criticism and visual humour, the salon aims to provide a space for artists to examine those who record history as it happens. When news becomes spectacle, silence becomes strategy and falsehood travels faster than verified information, humour can remain one of the sharpest ways of revealing uncomfortable truths.
The thematic caricature category will honour Geraldo Rodrigues de Carvalho, popularly known as Geraldo Ratão, who has been recognised as an outstanding citizen of Caratinga. Reference photographs and information about the honouree are available through the salon’s official website.
Participation is open to amateur and professional artists of any nationality who are over 18 years old. Each artist may submit one work per category. Entries that have already received an award before the submission deadline will not be eligible.
Works must be original and unpublished. The technique is free, but the use of artificial intelligence is expressly prohibited. Entries should measure 30 × 40 centimetres and must be submitted as A3-format JPG files at 300 dpi. Printed works on coated A3 paper will also be accepted under the conditions stated in the official regulations.
The first-place winner in each of the three categories will receive a cash prize of R$1,000, bringing the total prize fund to R$3,000. The cash awards are the responsibility of the Municipality of Caratinga.
Artists submitting entries from outside Brazil should note that the regulations require prize recipients to indicate a bank with a branch in Brazil.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three artists in each category, while certificates will be presented to three honourable mention recipients per category. An artist may not receive more than one prize within the same category. Additional awards or mentions may also be introduced at the discretion of the organising committee.
Submitted works will be evaluated by a selection jury and an awards jury composed of professionals qualified in the field. The awards jury may decide not to award a category that does not reach the required artistic level and may transfer the prize to another category or establish a special salon award.
Works found to involve plagiarism, fraud or another irregularity may be disqualified. Awards may also be cancelled after the results are announced if admissible evidence of an infringement is submitted within one week of the salon’s opening.
The winning works will be announced through the official blog and Facebook page of the Caratinga International Humor Salon after the exhibition opens.
Under the regulations, submitted works will become part of the collection of the Caratinga Cultural Station Association and may be used in travelling exhibitions, publications and promotional materials in print, television and digital media. Artists are therefore advised to read the copyright and acquisition provisions carefully before registering.
Submission deadline: September 20, 2026
Exhibition dates: October 19–25, 2026
Official website:
https://salaodehumordecaratinga.blogspot.com/
Photographs of Geraldo Ratão:
https://salaodehumordecaratinga.blogspot.com/2026/08/geraldo-ratao-eo-homenageado.html
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