Born in 1967 in Karachi. Education in Singapore and Geneva. Cartoonist for The New York Times and the Swiss newspapers Le Temps and NZZ am Sonntag. Author of numerous stories in comics, as well as an animated documentary. Chappatte coordinates and organizes the “Crossed Pens” projects.
What is
"Crossed Pens"?
Nothing better than humor to talk about serious issues. Following this motto, the editorial cartoonist Patrick Chappatte has been organizing since 2003, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), "Crossed Pens” projects all around the world. The idea is simple: in a context of political, ethnic or social conflict, gather cartoonists and give them a space to tackle the issues that divide their society. Where words can be touchy, we try drawings.

Such projects have taken place in Serbia, the Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Kenya, Guatemala, United States and Mexico. Beyond workshops, debates and exhibitions on the ground, each of these projects led to the creation of a specific object: a collection of drawings, press releases, video clips or even a calendar.

In addition, each edition of "Crossed Pens" triggers follow-up events in Switzerland: with the help of cultural actors in the country, such as the FIFDH in Geneva or la Maison du Dessin de presse in Morges, we bring the participating cartoonists from different countries to meet the Swiss people. Through events and exhibitions around political cartoons, Swiss audiences are exposed to the issues affecting other countries : ethnic conflict, urban violence, corruption and freedom of expression.

This site provides an overview of the projects realized until today. Discover, explore and come see us again: we are not finished with crossing pens!
Collaborative projects coordinated by Chappatte, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
© 2020 Plumes Croisées and Patrick Chappatte.
CONTEXTThe Mexico-US border: both an economic lifeline and a place of nationalist fixationPROJECTThe border wall as seen from both sides: cartoonists from the north and the south side exchange their viewsRESULTDue to the Covid-19 epidemic, the initial project of a show in Cuidad Juarez has become a virtual galleryVISIT THE WEBSITE
Le Projet
Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua et Guatemala ont connu dans la décennie écoulée des taux d’homicides qui les placent en tête des classements mondiaux de la violence. Dans leurs rues, on meurt autant ou plus qu’en Irak ou en Afghanistan. Une guerre s’y joue, dans le silence du monde.

La criminalité va du haut de l’échelle, où les cartels de la drogue pèsent de leur poids économique et politique sur l’Etat, jusqu’aux gangs de quartier, souvent soumis aux deux grandes bandes rivales, la mara Salvatrucha et la 18. Une violence sur fond d’inégalités sociales et d’exclusion. «Plumes croisées» a voulu mettre le projecteur sur l’Amérique Centrale, ce «trou noir de l’actualité», selon les termes de Chappatte.

Avec l’ambassade de Suisse à Guatemala Ciudad, le dessinateur suisse a réuni en mars 2012 des confrères du Honduras, du Salvador et du Guatemala autour du thème «Violence et corruption». Atelier professionnel enrichi par des experts, exposition itinérante et table ronde publique et ont débouché sur un calendrier mural, qui a été largement distribué, à travers l’ambassade de Suisse, dans les ONG et écoles des trois pays.

Le volet Suisse
En mars 2013, le public suisse put découvrir cette réalité à travers deux événements. A Genève, le Festival du film et forum international sur les droits humains consacra une soirée exceptionnelle, qui fit salle comble, au documentaire «Alma», confession d’une ex-gangster repentie, suivie d’un débat avec les dessinateurs Fo (Guatemala), Mc Donald (Honduras) et Alecus (Salvador), modéré par Chappatte. Parallèlement, à Morges, la Maison du dessin de presse présenta une exposition de 12 dessinateurs de presse d’Amérique Centrale.
Rafael Pineda
Rafael Pineda studied Social Communication at the UAM of Xochimilco. He is director of the magazine El Chamuco. He has published in different important newspapers such as El Reforma, El Universal, El Economista, México Hoy. At the moment, he publishes in the newspaper Milenio. In addition to his work as a cartoonist, he also does animation. National Journalism Award in 2016. Finalist and winner of the Gabriel García Márquez Prize.

Rafael Pineda es un caricaturista mexicano de Veracruz que estudió Comunicación Social en la UAM de Xochimilco. Actualmente es el director de la Revista El Chamuco. Ha publicado en diferentes diarios importantes como El Reforma, El Universal, El Economista, México Hoy. En estos momentos pública en el periódico Milenio. Además de trabajar como caricaturista, se dedica a la animación. Ha participado en diferentes documentales con sus caricaturas animadas. Su enfoque suele estar dirigido al tema de libertad de expresión. Premio Nacional de Periodismo 2016. Finalista y ganador del Premio Gabriel García Márquez.
Darío Castillejos
Darío has a law degree. He is president of Cartónclub. For three consecutive years he has been awarded the National Journalism Prize. He has a book compiling many of his works published for the Almadía editorial "Impressions of a Fuzzy World". Currently published in the newspaper El Imparcial de Oaxaca, and the magazines El Chamuco and Foreign Affairs.

Darío Castillejos es un caricaturista oaxaqueño licenciado en Derecho. Actualmente es el presidente de Cartónclub. Se dedica a la crítica de diferentes temas: políticos, sociales, religiosos, tecnológicos, culturales, entre otros. Ha ganado varios premios nacionales e internacionales. Durante tres años consecutivos ha sido galardonado con el Premio Nacional de Periodismo. Cuenta con un libro donde compila gran parte de su trabajo publicado por la editorial Almadía “Impresiones de un Mundo Desdibujado”. Actualmente publica en el periódico El Imparcial de Oaxaca, las revistas El Chamuco y Foreign Affairs.
Cintia Bolio
Cintia Bolio mainly publishes political, feminist and critical content. She teaches workshops and has worked with several national and international media, she has also published several books. She has won numerous awards for her cartoon work. She was the Latin American representative before the United Nations during the creation of Cartooning for Peace.

Cintia Bolio es una caricaturista mexicana autodidacta enfocada en contenido político, feminista y crítico. Su trabajo es reconocido por su lucha constante por la equidad de género. Imparte talleres y ha participado en diferentes medios nacionales e internacionales, además ha publicado diferentes libros. Le han sido otorgados distintos premios nacionales e internacionales como reconocimiento a su trabajo como caricaturista. Fue la representante de Latinoamérica ante la ONU durante la creación de Cartooning For Peace.
Ángel Boligán
Ángel Boligán is a Cuban-Mexican cartoonist who has lived in Mexico since 1992. Boligán has been publishing in the Mexican newspaper El Universal for more than 25 years. He collaborates with magazines such as El Chamuco, Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica and various international media. Winner of more than 183 international awards, he has also twice received Mexico's National Journalism Award. He is the founder of Cartónclub.

Ángel Boligán es un caricaturista cubano/mexicano que reside en México desde 1992. Boligán publica en el diario mexicano EL UNIVERSAL hace más de 25 años, además colabora en revistas como El Chamuco, Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica y diversos medios internacionales, ganador de más de 183 premios internacionales y en 2 ocasiones del Premio Nacional de Periodismo de México. Es fundador de Cartónclub.
Chavo del Toro
He holds a master's degree in social history and images from the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia. He is a specialist in political cartoons as a historical source and their transition from the print to the digital model. He was awarded the 2019 Journalistic Excellence Award by the Inter-American Press Society (SIP) and received an honorary mention in the political cartoon category in Miami in 2019.

Maestro en Historia Social e Imagen por la Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia, especialista en caricatura política como fuente histórica y su transición del print al modelo digital. Premio excelencia periodística 2019 por la Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP), mención honorífica en la categoría de caricatura política. Miami, 2019.
Clay Bennett
Born in 1958 in Clinton, South Carolina. He graduated in 1980 from the University of North Alabama with degrees in Art and History. He is the recipient of The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 2002. His work is syndicated internationally by The Washington Post Writers Group.
Matt Wuerker
Matt Wuerker is the staff cartoonist for POLITICO. His cartoons have been used in the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek, The Nation and The Smithsonian. In 2010 he was awarded the Herblock Prize at the Library of Congress and later that year won the National Press Foundation’s Berryman Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 2012.
Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson majored in political science at Ohio State. Anderson’s cartoons have been published in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune and other papers. In 2005, Anderson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning.
Rob Rogers
Rob Rogers earned an MFA in painting from Carnegie Mellon University in 1984. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Time, Newsweek and The Week, among others. Rogers’ work received the 1995 and 2019 National Headliner Award. In 2015, Rogers was awarded the Berryman Award from the National Press Foundation. In 1999 and 2019, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Ann Telnaes
Ann Telnaes creates editorial cartoons in various mediums- animation, visual essays, live sketches, and traditional print- for the Washington Post. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for her print cartoons and the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year in 2017.
Jeff Danziger
Jeff Danziger was born in New York City in 1943. He attended college at the University of Denver. He has published ten books of cartoons, and one novel about the Vietnam War. His artwork and occasional writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New Yorker, the International Herald Tribune, Le Monde, Izvestia, the Moscow Times, the Boston Globe. the Los Angeles Times, and on the Washington Post. He has been twice short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize and was awarded an Overseas Press Club Prize in 1998.
David Horsey
David Horsey is a graduate of the University of Washington and earned an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. He has published nine books of cartoons. He is a two-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for political cartooning. David’s work has appeared the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Politico and MSNBC.com. After a long career at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and six years as a political commentator for the Los Angeles Times, Horsey is now based at the Seattle Times.
Kevin Kallaugher
Kevin Kallaugher works for The Economist magazine of London and The Baltimore Sun. His resume includes six collections of his published work, exhibitions in a dozen countries, awards and honors in seven. These awards include Feature Cartoonist of the Year (UK), The Thomas Nast Prize (Germany) Cartoon of the Year (Europe), and The Berryman award (US), Herblock Prize (US) and two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize (US).
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United States
2015-2016
CONTEXTThe USA, one of the last industrial democracies that have not abolished the death penaltyPROJECTDeath row inmates were asked to draw and paint their daily life and experiences in prisonRESULT“Windows On Death Row”, a one of a kind exhibition sampling works from U.S. editorial cartoonists and from inmates, meant to start a conversation on capital punishmentVISIT THE WEBSITE
CONTEXTGuatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, the countries with the most homicides and highest levels of corruption in the worldPROJECTWorkshop in Guatemala City, exhibition, public discussionRESULTAn original wall calendar distributed to schools and NGOs in the three countriesPLUSA Swiss dimension: exhibition and discussion in Geneva and Morges
  •  Le projet s’ouvre par un atelier de deux jours sur les thèmes “Violence et corruption”, dirigé par Chappatte, et introduit par l’ambassadeur de Suisse Thomas Kolly (deuxième depuis la droite), entouré des experts Hélène Mack et Frank Larue – Guatemala Ciudad, 6 mars 2012

    Le projet s’ouvre par un atelier de deux jours sur les thèmes “Violence et corruption”, dirigé par Chappatte, et introduit par l’ambassadeur de Suisse Thomas Kolly (deuxième depuis la droite), entouré des experts Hélène Mack et Frank Larue – Guatemala Ciudad, 6 mars 2012

  •  But de l’atelier: créer un calendrier mural illustré, qui sera distribué aux écoles et ONG de la région comme outil de sensibilisation. Les dessinateurs du Guatemala, du Salvador et du Honduras planchent – Guatemala Ciudad, 6 mars 2012

    But de l’atelier: créer un calendrier mural illustré, qui sera distribué aux écoles et ONG de la région comme outil de sensibilisation. Les dessinateurs du Guatemala, du Salvador et du Honduras planchent – Guatemala Ciudad, 6 mars 2012

  •  Deuxième jour d’atelier, dessinateurs à la pause. De gauche à droite, debout: McDonald, La Matraca, Otto, Filochofo, JotaCe. Assis: Alecus et Salomón – Guatemala Ciudad, 7 mars 2012

    Deuxième jour d’atelier, dessinateurs à la pause. De gauche à droite, debout: McDonald, La Matraca, Otto, Filochofo, JotaCe. Assis: Alecus et Salomón – Guatemala Ciudad, 7 mars 2012

  •  Deuxième jour d’atelier, dessinateurs à la pause. De gauche à droite, debout: McDonald, La Matraca, Otto, Filochofo, JotaCe. Assis: Alecus et Salomón – Guatemala Ciudad, 7 mars 2012

    Deuxième jour d’atelier, dessinateurs à la pause. De gauche à droite, debout: McDonald, La Matraca, Otto, Filochofo, JotaCe. Assis: Alecus et Salomón – Guatemala Ciudad, 7 mars 2012

  •  Montage de l’expo de dessins de presse sur les thèmes “Violence et corruption” avant son vernissage, dans les locaux de Flacso – Guatemala Ciudad, 8 mars 2012

    Montage de l’expo de dessins de presse sur les thèmes “Violence et corruption” avant son vernissage, dans les locaux de Flacso – Guatemala Ciudad, 8 mars 2012

  •  Le volet suisse du projet, en mars 2013: une expo et un débat à Genève, une grande exposition à Morges.

    Le volet suisse du projet, en mars 2013: une expo et un débat à Genève, une grande exposition à Morges.

  •  Chappatte ouvre l’expo du Festival du film et forum international sur les droits humains à Genève, avec en guest stars les dessinateurs Alecus (Salvador), McDonald (Honduras) et Fo (Guatemala) – Genève, 4 mars 2013

    Chappatte ouvre l’expo du Festival du film et forum international sur les droits humains à Genève, avec en guest stars les dessinateurs Alecus (Salvador), McDonald (Honduras) et Fo (Guatemala) – Genève, 4 mars 2013

  •  Débat devant une salle comble au FIFDH lors d’une soirée spéciale Amérique Centrale, avec la projection du film “Alma, une enfant de la violence” – Genève, 4 mars 2013

    Débat devant une salle comble au FIFDH lors d’une soirée spéciale Amérique Centrale, avec la projection du film “Alma, une enfant de la violence” – Genève, 4 mars 2013

  •  Après avoir voyagé au Guatemala, au Honduras et au Salvador, l’exposition de dessins de presse “Violence et corruption” ouvre à la Maison du dessin de presse de Morges – Morges, 5 mars 2013

    Après avoir voyagé au Guatemala, au Honduras et au Salvador, l’exposition de dessins de presse “Violence et corruption” ouvre à la Maison du dessin de presse de Morges – Morges, 5 mars 2013

Click on the thumbnail above to display a photo gallery!
The Project
The murder rates in Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala over the past decade put these countries at the top of the world tables for violence. As many die on their streets as in Iraq or Afghanistan. A war is going on – that nobody talks about.

Crime runs from the top of the ladder, where the drug cartels use their economic and political weight against the state, right down to the neighbourhood gangs that are frequently controlled by two large rival groups, the Mara Salvatrucha and the 18. Violence has its roots in social inequality and exclusion. "Crossed Pens" wanted to turn the spotlight on Central America, this "black hole", as Chappatte puts it.

With the help of the Swiss Embassy in Guatemala City, Chappatte brought together fellow cartoonists from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala for an event entitled "Violence and corruption" in March 2012. This comprised a professional workshop with expert input, a roving exhibition and a public round-table discussion. A wall calendar was produced that was widely distributed by the Swiss Embassy to NGOs and schools in the three countries.

The Swiss dimension
In March 2013 two events were held that brought the situation in Central America to the attention of the Swiss public. In Geneva the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights organised a special evening at which the documentary film "Alma", the confessions of a former gangster, was shown to a full house. This was followed by a discussion with the cartoonists Fo (Guatemala), McDonald (Honduras) and Alecus (El Salvador), moderated by Chappatte. At the same time, in Morges, the Maison du dessin de presse (Editorial Cartoon Museum) presented an exhibition by 12 political cartoonists from Central America.
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FO
Alfredo Morales
Born in 1957 in Guatemala. Studies in architecture. Since 1986, cartoonist for the national newspaper Prensa Libre with weekly drawings, which became daily drawings since 1992. Regularly participates in international press cartoon festivals.
JOTACÉ
Julio César Castillo Carpio
Teacher, architect and cartoonist, Filochofo worked for 15 years for the Guatemalan newspapers Siglo XXI and El Periódico before becoming a victim of censorship and being fired. Since then, he publishes cartoon collections. Winner of several awards.
FILOCHOFO
José Manuel Chacón
Born in 1944 in Guatemala. From 1976 to 1996, cartoonist for El Gráfico. Since 1996, for El Periódico. Also teaches at the Central American School of Journalism. Received the prestigious medal Mon Crayòn, Guatemala, for all his satirical work.
LA MATRACA
Pablo Piloña
La Matraca, which means the rattle, was born in 1980 in Guatemala. Self-taught, he defines himself as a street caricaturist. Works for the daily Al Día, where he draws cartoons, as well as for The Sunday Supplement La Matraca.
MCDONALD
Norman Allan Sauceda
Born in Honduras in 1970, first newspaper cartoon published at the age of 9 years (!), Hired at the age of 13 by the independent newspaper La Prensa. Since 1986, draws for El Heraldo (Honduras). Winner of the Caricature Award of Honduras several times and of the National Award of the UNICEF press.
ALECUS
Ricardo Clement
Born in 1962 in Mexico. Studied Visual Arts at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Moved to El Salvador, where he drew for El Diario de Hoy, as well as for the Guatemalan newspaper Siglo XXI. Received several awards for his satirical work in El Salvador, Europe and the United States.
OTTO
Otto Mezza
Born in La Libertad, El Salvador. Medical studies and then graphic art studies. Specialized in animation in Italy. Cartoonist and illustrator for the Salvadoran newspapers El Diario de Hoy, La Prensa Grafica and El Faro. Winner of several drawing and poetry awards.
SALOMON
Walter Salomón Arévalo
Né au Honduras en 1970, premier dessin de presse publié à l’âge de 9 ans ( !), engagé à l’âge de 13 par le journal indépendant La Prensa. Depuis 1986, dessine pour El Heraldo (Honduras). Lauréat du prix de la Caricature du Honduras à plusieurs reprises, ainsi que le prix national de la presse UNICEF.
CHAPPATTE
Patrick Chappatte
Born in 1967 in Karachi. Education in Singapore and Geneva. Cartoonist for The New York Times and the Swiss newspapers Le Temps and NZZ am Sonntag. Author of numerous stories in comics, as well as an animated documentary. Chappatte coordinates and organizes the “Crossed Feathers” projects.
CONTEXTBehind the power struggles looms the spectre of ethnic confrontationPROJECTWorkshop in Nairobi, drawing contest, exhibition and public debateRESULTcartoons to raise awarenessPLUSA Swiss dimension: exhibition and gatherings in Geneva, Morges and Bern
  •  “Ethnicité et la quête d’une identité nationale kényanne”: le titre de l’atelier de dessinateurs de Nairobi, qui ambitionne de traiter la brûlante question des rivalités claniques à travers le dessin.

    “Ethnicité et la quête d’une identité nationale kényanne”: le titre de l’atelier de dessinateurs de Nairobi, qui ambitionne de traiter la brûlante question des rivalités claniques à travers le dessin.

  •  Les dessinateurs se mettent au travail. But de l’atelier: créer des clips vidéo basés sur des dessins originaux. En trois jours! – Nairobi, 19 janvier 2010

    Les dessinateurs se mettent au travail. But de l’atelier: créer des clips vidéo basés sur des dessins originaux. En trois jours! – Nairobi, 19 janvier 2010

  •  Munene prêt à enregistrer son clup vidéo – Nairobi, 20 janvier 2010

    Munene prêt à enregistrer son clup vidéo – Nairobi, 20 janvier 2010

  •  En parallèle, un concours de dessins a été organisé par l’association des dessinateurs kényans et Plumes Croisées.

    En parallèle, un concours de dessins a été organisé par l’association des dessinateurs kényans et Plumes Croisées.

  •  Troisième jour: exposition de dessins sur le thème de l’ethnicité et grand débat public à Nairobi, rassemblant tous les dessinateurs kényans, modéré par Chappatte. Les deux premiers vidéo-clips sont projetés – Nairobi, 21 janvier 2010

    Troisième jour: exposition de dessins sur le thème de l’ethnicité et grand débat public à Nairobi, rassemblant tous les dessinateurs kényans, modéré par Chappatte. Les deux premiers vidéo-clips sont projetés – Nairobi, 21 janvier 2010

  •  Le volet suisse: inauguration d’une expo de dessins kényans et projection des films au festival Morges-sous-Rire, en présence de la présidente de la Confédération, Doris Leuthard – Morges, 14 juin 2010

    Le volet suisse: inauguration d’une expo de dessins kényans et projection des films au festival Morges-sous-Rire, en présence de la présidente de la Confédération, Doris Leuthard – Morges, 14 juin 2010

  •  De gauche à droite: Chappatte, Gado, la présidente Doris Leuthard, Gathara, Ndula et  Gammz – Morges, 14 juin 2010

    De gauche à droite: Chappatte, Gado, la présidente Doris Leuthard, Gathara, Ndula et Gammz – Morges, 14 juin 2010

  •  Les dessinateurs de Nairobi, entourés de Plantu et Chappatte, sont reçus par Kofi Annan, qui fut le médiateur de la crise kényane en 2008 – Genève, 15 juin 2010

    Les dessinateurs de Nairobi, entourés de Plantu et Chappatte, sont reçus par Kofi Annan, qui fut le médiateur de la crise kényane en 2008 – Genève, 15 juin 2010

Click on the thumbnail above to display a photo gallery!
The Project
In 2007, in the context of a disputed presidential election in Kenya, a political battle between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki and his challenger, Raila Odinga, developed into a war between the Kikuyu and Luo tribes. It appeared that the poison of ethnicity, being spread by politicians, would prevail. Mediation by Kofi Annan led to a power-sharing arrangement.

In January 2010, when these events were still fresh, Chappatte and the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi brought together eight Kenyan cartoonists from all sides for a workshop, a public discussion and an exhibition entitled "Ethnicity and the quest for a Kenyan national identity". A drawing competition for young people was also held.

At the workshop, Chappatte put a challenge to his eight colleagues: everyone had two days to produce an original cartoon that would be captured on video. Used in an awareness-raising campaign in the country, these video clips are meant to be thought provoking – while raising smiles.

The Swiss dimension
Invited to exhibit at the “Morges-sous-rire” comedy festival in June 2010, the Kenyan cartoonists had the opportunity for exchanges with their Swiss counterparts and presented their work to the Swiss President Doris Leuthard. They were also received in Geneva by Kofi Annan, a key figure in the Kenyan crisis.
The video below combines the clips filmed as part of the project in Kenya. To see each video individually, click here.
GADO
Godfrey Mwampembwa
Born August 6, 1969 in Dar es Salaam. Studied architecture. Since 1992 worked as a freelancer for Tanzanian newspapers Daily News, Business Times and The Express, before becoming the star-cartoonist of the Daily Nation of Nairobi. Published in the international press.
GaMMz
Eric Ngammau
Graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts Buruburu of Nairobi. Cartoonist for Standard Group, publisher of the oldest newspaper in Kenya. Also collaborates with the New People, an international catholic magazine. Won prizes and awards both locally and internationally.
OZONE
Alphone Omondi
Alphonso Omondi Oketch was born in 1983, workes for The Star in Nairobi.
Victor Ndula
Born in 1977, Victor Ndula began his career as cartoonist with freelancing. He is the editorial cartoonist for the newspaper The Star.
Finlay Omayio
Born on 26 October 1983 in Kenya. Diploma of Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts (BIFA) in Nairobi and an animation school. Worked for newspapers such as The Daily Kenya Times, The Sunday Times Newspapers and the Sudan Mirror.
KENNY
Kennedy Kaburu
Born in 1979, draws for The Standard in Nairobi.
IGAH
Samuel Muigai
Samuel Muigai, Born in 1981, draws for The Daily Nation.
MUNENE
Born in 1986. Works for The Standard.
Festus Mateso
Born in 1980, freelance cartoonist whose work is published in The Kenya Times.
Patrick Gathara
Born in 1972, works for the Kenyan newspaper The East African. He was the local organizer of “Crossed Feathers”.
CONTEXTIs it possible to be a Lebanese citizen in a country dominated by confessionalism?PROJECTWorkshop, exhibition and discussions in BeirutRESULTCartoonists from across the political spectrum published collectively in the Lebanese pressPLUSA Swiss dimension: exhibition and discussions in Geneva, Morges and Bern
  •  Comment parler du confessionnalisme et de la citoyenneté au Liban? Par le dessin, voyons! Expositions, table ronde et publication dans la presse libanaise sont au menu du projet.

    Comment parler du confessionnalisme et de la citoyenneté au Liban? Par le dessin, voyons! Expositions, table ronde et publication dans la presse libanaise sont au menu du projet.

  •  On s’affaire au montage de l’exposition de dessins de presse sur le Liban , trois jours avant le vernissage, dans les locaux du théâtre Masrah Al Madina – Beyrouth, 15 mars 2009

    On s’affaire au montage de l’exposition de dessins de presse sur le Liban , trois jours avant le vernissage, dans les locaux du théâtre Masrah Al Madina – Beyrouth, 15 mars 2009

  •  Les dessinateurs Stavro et Chappatte présentent sur Future TV le but du projet: faire paraître dans tous les journaux libanais, pendant trois jours, une page réunissant les dessinateurs de tous bords. Le pari sera réussi – Beyrouth, 18 mars 2009

    Les dessinateurs Stavro et Chappatte présentent sur Future TV le but du projet: faire paraître dans tous les journaux libanais, pendant trois jours, une page réunissant les dessinateurs de tous bords. Le pari sera réussi – Beyrouth, 18 mars 2009

  •  Le volet suisse, en juin 2009: les dessinateurs libanais Machaalani, Stavro, Bleibel et Hajo (de gauche à droite avec Chappatte au centre) inaugurent une grand exposition à Morges – Morges, 15 juin 2009

    Le volet suisse, en juin 2009: les dessinateurs libanais Machaalani, Stavro, Bleibel et Hajo (de gauche à droite avec Chappatte au centre) inaugurent une grand exposition à Morges – Morges, 15 juin 2009

  •  L’exposition de dessins est ouverte par le président de la Confédération Rudolf Merz, avec les dessinateurs suisses et libanais – Morges, 15 juin 2009

    L’exposition de dessins est ouverte par le président de la Confédération Rudolf Merz, avec les dessinateurs suisses et libanais – Morges, 15 juin 2009

  •  Après le conseiller fédéral Pascal couchepin à Berne, Kofi Annan reçoit les dessinateurs hôtes dans son bureau de Genève – Genève, 17 juin 2009

    Après le conseiller fédéral Pascal couchepin à Berne, Kofi Annan reçoit les dessinateurs hôtes dans son bureau de Genève – Genève, 17 juin 2009

Click on the thumbnail above to display a photo gallery!
The project
Divided by its history and along religious lines, and set in a geopolitical region fraught with tensions, Lebanon is an attempt at living together that is under constant threat. "Crossed Pens" set out to ask Lebanese about what divides them, what unites them, and what makes them fellow citizens, despite everything.

In March 2009, with the support of the FDFA and the Swiss Embassy in Beirut, the cartoonist Chappatte invited eight Lebanese colleagues from across the political spectrum to attend a workshop. Each signed three original drawings on the topics of clans and politics, confessionalism and rules for living together. These drawings gave rise to something unprecedented – works by all the cartoonists featured together over three days in some ten Beirut newspapers, including As Safir, An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, and The Daily Star.

In addition to this strongly symbolic gesture, a vernissage and round-table discussion were held at a theatre in central Beirut, bringing together cartoonists and the public. Overcoming barriers of politics and confessionalism, a collaborative artistic event was staged in the land of the cedars.

The Swiss dimension
The Swiss public was familiarised with the complex political situation in Lebanon in June of the same year, at an exhibition at the “Morges-sous-rire” comedy festival. The four Lebanese cartoonists present – Hassan Bleibel, Saad Hajo, Stavro Jabra and Jean Machaalani – were received by Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin in Bern.
These are the drawings by the eight Lebanese cartoonists, published simultaneously over three days on the same page in some ten Lebanese papers. Their work evokes the grip the clans have on politics, the burden of confessionalism, the lack of environmental awareness, and the foreign influences on Lebanon – but also the pleasure of living together.
  •  ARMAND HOMSI – An Nahar

    ARMAND HOMSI – An Nahar

  •  BENÔIT DEBBANE – L’Orient-Le Jour

    BENÔIT DEBBANE – L’Orient-Le Jour

  •  BENÔIT DEBBANE – L’Orient-Le Jour

    BENÔIT DEBBANE – L’Orient-Le Jour

  •  ELIE SALIBA – Ad Diya

    ELIE SALIBA – Ad Diya

  •  SAAD HAJO – As Safir

    SAAD HAJO – As Safir

  •  HASSAN BLAYBEL – Al Moustaqbal

    HASSAN BLAYBEL – Al Moustaqbal

  •  JEAN MACHAALANI – Al Anwar

    JEAN MACHAALANI – Al Anwar

  •  PIERRE SADEK – An Nahar

    PIERRE SADEK – An Nahar

  •  STAVRO JABRA – Al Balad, The Daily Star

    STAVRO JABRA – Al Balad, The Daily Star

Armand Homsi
Diploma of Interior Design at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in 1989. Draws since 1994 for the daily An-Nahar. Homsi also publishes the weekly supplement Nahar Al Chabab and the magazine Noun. Regular exhibitions and publications abroad.
Benoit Debbane
Born in 1974, studied architecture at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts in Beirut, and became famous as a graffiti and street artist. Currently working as a freelance illustrator and painter. Published in the daily An Nahar.
Hassan Bleibel
Born in 1964. Graduated in architecture from the University of Damascus. Worked until 2012 for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal. Exhibitions in Lebanon, the Arab world and Europe. Publications in the international press.
Elie Saliba
Ad Diyar is a newspaper cartoonist. He said: "Even if we have bigger liberties than in other countries in the Middle East, red lines that cannot be crossed also exist in Lebanon"
Saad Hajo
Born in 1968 in Damascus. Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts. Since 1995, he draws for the As-safir newspaper and is published in many international newspapers.
Stavro Jabra
Born in 1947 in Beirut. Cartoonist from the age of 20, he is still working for the newspapers Al Balad Ad-Dabbour, La Revue du Liban and The Daily Star. Published and awarded internationally, he exhibited around the world.
Jean Machaalani
Cartoonist of the Lebanese newspaper Al-Anwar. Great figure of the Lebanese caricature, just like Pierre Sadek. He died in 2013 .
Pierre Sadek
Born in Zahle in 1938. Graduate of Fine Arts. Worked for newspapers like Al Amal, Al Anwar, An-Nahar, Ad-Diyar and Assayad magazine - which fired him for a caricature of Naser. In 1986, first cartoonist in Lebanon to draw for the evening news. Appointed Commander of the National Order of the Cedar in 2012, he died April 24, 2013.
CONTEXTA country divided along political and ethnic lines and at risk of civil warPROJECTCartoonists from rival newspapers in Abidjan come together to work on a joint projectRESULTCartoon collections that explain the crisisPLUSA Swiss dimension – exhibition and debate in Geneva and Morges
  •  Patrick Chappatte et Olvis Dabley présentent à la presse locale le projet: un atelier de trois jours avec 10 dessinateurs, pour créer un recueil de dessins sur l’histoire récente et la situation politique de la Côte d’Ivoire.<br /> Abidjan, 14 mars 2006

    Patrick Chappatte et Olvis Dabley présentent à la presse locale le projet: un atelier de trois jours avec 10 dessinateurs, pour créer un recueil de dessins sur l’histoire récente et la situation politique de la Côte d’Ivoire.
    Abidjan, 14 mars 2006

  •  Cocktail à la résidence de Suisse: les invités écoutent le discours de bienvenue de l’ambassadeur Dominik Langenbacher.<br /> Abidjan, 16 mars 2006

    Cocktail à la résidence de Suisse: les invités écoutent le discours de bienvenue de l’ambassadeur Dominik Langenbacher.
    Abidjan, 16 mars 2006

  •  Les dessinateurs ivoiriens en plein atelier. Leur but: rassembler les dessins de presse les plus pertinents en vue de constituer un album-témoignage sur les crises politiques du pays. <br />Abidjan, 17 mars 2006

    Les dessinateurs ivoiriens en plein atelier. Leur but: rassembler les dessins de presse les plus pertinents en vue de constituer un album-témoignage sur les crises politiques du pays.
    Abidjan, 17 mars 2006

  •  Clôture de l’atelier: pendant trois jours, des dessinateurs de journaux affiliés à des partis politiques rivaux, voire ennemis, ont collaboré tous ensemble. Là où les mots fâchent, le dessin a permis d’échanger. <br />Abidjan, 18 mars 2006

    Clôture de l’atelier: pendant trois jours, des dessinateurs de journaux affiliés à des partis politiques rivaux, voire ennemis, ont collaboré tous ensemble. Là où les mots fâchent, le dessin a permis d’échanger.
    Abidjan, 18 mars 2006

  •  Patrick Chappatte sur le plateau du journal de 20 heures de la télévison publique ivoirienne. <br />Abidjan, 19 mars 2006

    Patrick Chappatte sur le plateau du journal de 20 heures de la télévison publique ivoirienne.
    Abidjan, 19 mars 2006

  •  Conférence de presse de bilan, avec Olvis Dabley, Patrick Chappatte et l’ambassadeur de Suisse Dominik Langenbacher. Le recueil de dessins de presse «On va où là», issu de l’atelier, paraîtra quelques semaines plus tard. <br />Abidjan, 20 mars 2006

    Conférence de presse de bilan, avec Olvis Dabley, Patrick Chappatte et l’ambassadeur de Suisse Dominik Langenbacher. Le recueil de dessins de presse «On va où là», issu de l’atelier, paraîtra quelques semaines plus tard.
    Abidjan, 20 mars 2006

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The Project
In 2006 Ivory Coast was split in two: rebels opposed to the presidency of Laurent Gbagbo held the northern half of a country torn apart by political ambitions, economic interests and clan loyalties. Today those rebels are in charge in Abidjan, and Gbagbo has been handed over to face international justice. But the resentment remains.

Reflecting the state of the country, the Ivorian press has often been divided, stirring up the hostility of one side against the other. Editorial cartoonists have been unwilling participants in this feud. This was the situation in March 2006 when a local cultural agency supported by the Swiss Embassy in Abidjan invited the cartoonist Chappatte to host a workshop of Ivorian cartoonists as well as a series of public round tables. The resulting collection of drawings, "On va où là" ("Where are we heading?"), is a satirical view of the crisis in Ivory Coast. A follow-up volume was published in 2012.

A dialogue in the "Crossed Pens" series was initiated - a dialogue in the sense of a lively exchange of views and of witty observations.

The Swiss dimension
The Swiss public were able to view the interaction between these Ivorian cartoonists at the "Morges sous rire" press cartoon festival in June 2006. The works produced, volumes 1 and 2, were then presented at the Geneva Book and Press Fair, which devoted exhibitions, discussions and gatherings to them. This was a chance for the Swiss to discover there is more to Ivory Coast than cocoa beans.
The two volumes of "Where are we heading?" containing the cartoons produced for the Ivory Coast project, will soon be available to download from this site.
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Lassane Zohoré
Regularly published by Le Courrier International, Reportères Sans Frontière and Jeune Afrique. Co-creator, director and cartoonist of the satirical weekly Gbich!, He is also chairman of the association of cartoonists in the Ivory Coast.
Gudé Carlos Liadé
Head-cartoonist of the weekly Gbich! and contributor to the daily Le Courrier d'Abidjan since 2004. Was winner of best screenplay at the Comics Festival Coco Bubble in 2001.
Eric Dago
Graphic designer, he has worked for newspapers such as Gbich! or Yafohi and various festivals, like Coco bubbles or the comic festival in Sierre. Currently cartoonist for the daily newspapers Nord-Sud and Gbich!
G. Thierry
Graduated in Fine Arts in Abidjan, he draws for Gbich! and the newspaper Le Temps d'Abidjan, after debuting his career for Le Jour, Le Reflet and Le Populaire. In 2004, he represents the Ivory Coast in a festival in Cameroon. Exhibitions in Africa and Europe.
Ben Sylla
Collaborator of Gbich! and the Ivorian youth supplement Planète, he created many cartoon characters and animated series, such as Filo and Zofy created by Zohoré between 2000 and 2005. Ben worked for the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) as an illustrator.
Illary-Simplice
Scriptwriter and journalist. In 1991, he left the university to devote himself to drawing, especially of cartoons, by co-founding the Gbich! magazine with Zohoré.
Karlos Guédégou
Cartoonist for Gbich!, he began his career in 1990 by creating the Jo'Bleck character for the daily Actuel. Jo’Bleck is a patented Don Juan figure withhuge success.
Mendozza Y Caramba
Born in 1964, graduate from and teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts in Abidjan, he joined Gbich! in 1999 as associate editor and cartoonist. Created the serie " Les habits presque neufs du président " which portrays Laurent Gbagbo. Numerous international awards.
Astain
A graduate from the center of artistic painting of Abengourou in 1988, he drew comics for the daily Fraternité Matin, after working for the Démocrate, L'Aurore and Nouveau rêve. In 2000, he joined Gbich! where he is responsible for the photo story section.
Olvis Dabley
BD Festival Coco Bubbles organizer in Ivory Coast, he was the instigator of this workshop in 2006 and invited Patrick Chappatte to animate it. He also edited " On va où là ? " Volumes 1 and 2, collections of cartoons on the Ivorian crisis of the “Crossed Feathers” workshop.
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Serbia
2003
In 2003 Serbia emerged from 12 years of bloody war that broke apart the communist former Yugoslavia. Its ousted leader, Slobodan Milosevic, had been handed over to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Indicted over its particular responsibility for the conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, Serbia was waking up from its nationalistic nightmare. It envisaged a new future in Europe but still found it difficult to face up to its recent past.

At that time the Swiss Embassy in Belgrade came up with the bold initiative to organise a press cartoon exhibition on the wars in Yugoslavia. In place of words that injure and divide, it sought to achieve an exchange of views in the form of drawings, and to call for an examination of the country's recent history – without appearing to do so.

Held in a gallery in central Belgrade, the exhibition bringing together Corax, a leading Serbian caricaturist and Milosevic opponent, and Patrick Chappatte, a Swiss cartoonist working for the international press, attracted 1,000 visitors daily. A round-table discussion held in the gallery was an opportunity for informative and lively debate.

This simple idea, to use cartoon drawing to facilitate discussion in a conflict setting, was to form the basis of all the "Crossed Pens" projects.
CORAX
Pregrag Koraksić
Né en 1933 à Čačak en Serbie. Fils d’un resistant serbe tué pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale. Il a commencé sa carrière de dessinateur professionnel dans le journal Jež en 1950. Il a travaillé pour Vecernje novosti d’où il fut expulsé suite à une décision de justice. En 2004, il reçut la légion d’honneur française.
Il publie encore ses caricatures aujourd’hui dans différentes publications et notamment sur internet.
CHAPPATTE
Patrick Chappatte
Né en 1967 à Karachi. Education à Singapour et Genève. Dessinateur pour The International New York Times et les journaux suisses Le Temps et NZZ am Sonntag. Auteur de nombreux reportages en bande dessinée, ainsi que d’un documentaire animé. Chappatte coordonne et organise les projets Plumes croisées.
CORAX
Pregrag Koraksić
CHAPPATTE
Patrick Chappatte
Below is a selection of newspaper articles (in French) on this "Crossed Pens" project: