António Antunes, organiser of the event, said the decision regarding this year’s event is “definitive” due to the time it has taken to find sponsors.
Since its launch in 2005 the World Press Cartoon exhibition had been held in Sintra, but moved last year to Cascais after Sintra Council announced in 2014 it would no longer be able to provide
financing.
“Unlike Sintra, where there was a budget that covered the majority of the event, the agreement with Cascais council was distinct”, António Antunes, himself a renowned cartoonist, explained in comments to Lusa News Agency, clarifying that Cascais council footed part of the bill while the rest was covered by outsourced sponsorship.
The organiser elaborated: “The council covers some things, and for others it found or suggested companies to provide private sponsorship” although this year those sponsors dragged their heels in committing, leading the council to back out, he said.
“The council’s exercise has always been to pay as little as possible, which is perfectly legitimate, except this year things went wrong and time has run out.
“It is, therefore, since 2005, the first time that the world community of cartoonists will not be able to look forward to this prestigious meeting point”, Antunes stressed.
However, he pledged to “develop efforts to ensure the necessary minimum conditions are met” to stage the event next year.
The World Press Cartoon Exhibition involves a €10,000 prize for the year’s best cartoon.
Cascais Mayor Carlos Carreiras has also reaffirmed his “commitment and will to stage the event annually, in partnership with cartoonist António [Antunes] and to keep the best and most enthusiastic cartoon-dedicated event in Cascais.”