An exciting email came in the other day. I am a member of the French Cartoonists’ Alliance, and the email was announcing that France has created a special house for what they call “press cartoons,” or what we call editorial or political cartoons. I had heard this was a possibility, Macron was keen on it. There was hope among some that the center would be housed in a wonderful museum in the Loire Valley called St Just Center of International Press Cartoons. I’ve been there three times for their annual international festival and it’s terrific, cartoonists from all over the world descend on this one small village every fall for two weeks. But in the end, Macron decided to house the “European House of Press and Satirical Cartoons” in Paris. As much as I wanted the honor to go to my friends in St. Just, I think perhaps having it in Paris makes a lot of sense. Here is the press release from another French cartoon group of which I am a member, Cartooning for Peace:
On Tuesday 11 January, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the creation of a European House of Press and Satirical Cartoons, which will be located in Paris, in the 6th arrondissement.
“In the heart of Paris, the spirit of 11 January, the spirit of the march that just seven years ago brought together millions of people for freedom of expression, will therefore continue to live on,” declared Emmanuel Macron, during his greetings to the press.
Seven years after the tragic attacks of 7 January 2015, which hit the editorial staff of Charlie Hebdo, the wish of Georges Wolinski, who initiated the idea in 2007, and who was taken up and supported by his wife Maryse Wolinski until her death on 9 December, has been fulfilled.
Cartooning for Peace is delighted with this good news, which can only contribute to the promotion of press and satirical cartoons in France and internationally, raise awareness of this art among the younger generation, strengthen a profession that is essential for democratic debate, and promote the many initiatives that already exist in France, Europe and around the world.
There are two museums dedicated to cartoons in this country, The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. It’s wonderful that they exist. The Society of Illustrators has one hall dedicated to cartoons and comics, it’s really very nice, I've curated a few exhibits there.
Thinking about France and its love of cartoons (and troubles with cartoons), I want to share with you just a few of the drawings that I drew right after the Charlie Hebdo murders in Paris in 2015. It was a horrible day for cartoonists globally, and the event still resonates within the community. I wrote about the murders in the New York Times Op Ed Page, here.
The world needs editorial cartoons, and yet they are struggling. I am not sure what what can be done about it. Our national tradition of editorial cartoons is not as deep or long as France’s, but we have one. Perhaps the US should have a House for Editorial Cartoons!
Liza’s new book, Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists, 1925-2022, is available in March, but you can preorder wherever you like. You can also preorder a personalized, signed copy at my local bookstore, Oblong Books! Here.