Greece's Cartoon Exhibition
Posted by Greece - 16/07/2007
In late June, as part of its efforts to promote social inclusion and raise awareness of the issue of homelessness, GALERA magazine organized a Cartoon Exhibition. The exhibition was held at the Metro Syntagmatos Main Hall, at the heart of Greece’s capital Athens.
“Entos Estias” was the title appropriately given to the exhibition. In Greek, “Entos” means “Within/In” while “Estia” has multiple meanings, two of which are “housing” and “goals”. “Entos Estias” could be taken to convey the meaning of “Shots on Goal” as in a football game, but also “In a house”. In this way, the organizers managed to make an effective connection between the Homeless World Cup, the plight of the homeless people and the inalienable right to decent housing for all citizens.
Greece’s leading cartoonists (some of them multi-award winners in international competitions) joined forces, providing their inspirational work and over 50 cartoons were exhibited.
A cartoon is a form of art but also a commentary through the use of an image. It can evoke laughter or a feeling of sadness and on many occasions it can provoke both. A cartoon can challenge people to think.
Through the use of this extraordinary form of art and the unique qualities of communication that indeed only a cartoon can claim to enjoy, the issue of Homelessness was effectively promoted to the thousands of people who paid a visit to the Metro Exhibition Hall. Greece is one of few European countries that have not constituted a “national definition for Homelessness” despite the fact that, according to unofficial estimates, there are currently over 17.000 people living on the street or under extremely unsuitable –and in many cases dangerous- conditions.
GALERA magazine is a social and satirical magazine that has voluntarily undertaken the task of establishing a football project, focusing on the principles of social inclusion. The 5th Homeless World Cup will see the Greek Team making its debut on such an important international social and sports stage. Part of the Cartoon Exhibition “Entos Estias” will be hosted in Copenhagen, during the 5th Homeless World Cup.
