Bogotá’s first International Cartoon Salon opened at the Gimnasio Moderno on September 17, with more than 150 works by artists from 52 countries on display.

The salon grew out of the international “Peace Without Words” call launched earlier this year in memory of Colombian cartoonist José Alberto Martínez “Betto”. A longtime cartoonist for El Espectador, Betto died in 2024 and was especially known for his wordless graphic humour.

There was one central condition: the cartoons had to approach peace without dialogue. By the close of the call, the organisers had received 368 cartoons. More than 150 works by artists from 52 countries were brought together for the Bogotá salon.

Peace Without Words Awards Announced

The results of the “Peace Without Words” International Cartoon Award were announced during the opening. Ukrainian cartoonist Vladimir Kazanevsky received first prize, Chinese cartoonist and animator Qi Jingyan took second, and Iranian illustrator Marzieh Khanizadeh Abyaneh received third prize.

Writer Joe Broderick, cartoonist Cecilia Ramos (La Ché) and graphic humour editor Fabio Cardona served on the jury.

A Tribute to Consuelo Lago

The opening also honoured Colombian cartoonist Consuelo Lago, creator of the long-running La Negra Nieves.

Lago received a commemorative plaque featuring the first Nieves cartoon she published in El Espectador. The character has appeared in the newspaper for more than four decades.

The programme also included “Peace, Opinion and Citizenship”, a discussion on cartooning, satire and their place in public debate.

Organised by Fundación Espiral Vital with the support of El Espectador, Viva La Ciudadanía and Gimnasio Moderno, the first International Cartoon Salon continues at the Gimnasio Moderno Library in Bogotá through September 26.