Multi-award winner cartoonist Aristides Hernandez (aka Ares) told ACN that artists from 21, including England, France, Turkey, Brazil and Greece, are participating in the event this year.

The inaugural day of the meeting included a parade with the participation of children, youths and others who enjoyed the performance of the Municipal Band of Music and anthological pieces such as “La engañadora” by Enrique Jorrin, and “Rompiendo la rutina” by Aniceto Diaz.

Nearly 20 artists began the creation of the traditional mural of the biennial, which on this occasion honors the work of late Cuban cartoonist Tomas Rodriguez Zayas (aka Tomy).

More than 150 works from 21 countries are competing in the categories of general humor, political satire, comic strips, personal caricature and humorous photography.

The jury will grant the Eduardo Abela Prize, which is the highest award of the contest, in honor to Cuban humorist Eduardo Abela (1889-1965). They will also grant, for the first time, the Tomy Online Prize.