First International Festival of cartoons begun Wednesday in Algiers with the participation of 22 Arab, African and European countries.

• “The aim of this festival is to revive this art, absent for more than 30 years in Algeria. “I am ready to support producers who want to develop it. Artists and producers must work in coordination.” Algerian Minister of Culture, Khalida Toumi said.
• Many Tunisian, Moroccan and other Arab artists were absent despite they were officially invited.
• This festival will reconsider the old generation of best Algerian cartoonists, and connect it with the new generation to develop this art known in Algeria since 1970.
• Only two Algerian publishing houses were present in the festival, “The National Institution of Arts” and “Lezhari Institution”. They show cartoons importance through presenting famous drawings  such as of  Slim Mouley, Rachid Taibi, Haidar, Haroune and Abderrahmane Badaoui, father of cartoons in Algeria and founder of  the “Mkideche” character.
• The festival includes several competitions including the best poster, young talents, and professionals including foreigners.
• The  jury members are experts from Algeria, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Cote d’Ivoire, Japan, Niger and Spain.
• The festival provides lectures and exhibitions dedicated to several countries including India, Tunisia, Belgium, Argentina and Switzerland.