Cairo Comix “Barah El Kadr” exhibition

CAIRO – 25 September 2017: Cairo Comix Festival concluded a three-day festival that featured a number of events and activities hosted at the American University in Cairo’s (AUC) Tahrir Campus, in addition to book signings, exhibitions, seminars and competitions.

The festival ran from September 22 to 24.

Egypt Today toured one of Cairo Comix exhibitions called “Barah El Kadr” [Out of the Box] at Legacy Hall at AUC.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

The exhibition featured caricature art by an array of art producers such as El Waraka, Tok Tok, Virgin Mega Store, Ee’sar and Nahdet Misr.

The exhibitions were attended by a fair number of young people who have an interest in comics and the art of caricature. The attendances also included anime, gaming fans, and drawing fans.

The “Barah El Kadr” exhibition featured more than 20 graphic comic stories that were composed by Egyptian artists and were displayed on the walls.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

The exhibited stories were inspired by the leading comic newspaper Sobian Wi Banat [Boys and Girls].

The 1990’s generation felt warm-hearted with the nostalgia taking over the place, and from the unforgotten memories that were aroused from the weekly paper.

As visitors toured the exhibition, they found that the comic stories were displayed in Arabic; however, the exhibition also featured around two to three English comic stories.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

The comic stories tackled sociopolitical issues such as terrorism, chaos, inflation, and Egyptian routine.

The stories were characterized by a sense of humor and serious criticism, in addition to attractive drawing and color usage.

“Barah El Kadr” is a part of the third edition of the Cairo Comix Festival. It is a collaboration project between Mazg for Culture and Arts and Mict organization in Berlin with the aim of producing a number of comics to be published on Mazg and Moraselon outlets.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

The project was initiated by four artists, who cooperated to reflect the current events in Egypt and produce a number of comics. In 2016, the project expanded included painters from Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Libya.

The project exhibited a number of journalistic comic stories from different participants and companies.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

Cairo Comix is an artistic celebration that aims to gather Egyptians ranging between local and international comic book artists; the festival seeks to provide for the first time numerous prizes such as Best Published Graphic Novel in Arabic, according to the festival’s Facebook page.

Featuring talks, workshops, comic book sales and exhibitions, the festival shed light on trending art projects through bringing together artists, competitors, experts and fans in the same place.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

Cairo Comix Festival is about the evolution of the independent art movement in Egypt and more broadly the Middle East and North Africa region.

It held a competition among the participants in different categories including Best Printed Graphic Novel, Best Graphic Short Story published in a book, magazine, or newspaper, and Best Stripped Bar published in magazine or newspaper.


Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)

Other categories were provided such as, Best Printed Magazine, Best Electronic Post that was never printed, and Best Project Under Establishment.

Famous guests attended the festival such as writer and painter, Mohamed Salah from Egypt, and painter and story writer, Alfonso Zapico from Spain.

Cairo Comix also organized an exhibition for the icons of Spanish Graphic story called “Sendas”/”Masarat” [Paths].

Art works displayed in “Barah El Kadr” (Photo by Rana Atef)