From March 12- 23rd I had the great pleasure to visit Amman, Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon as part of the Strategic Speakers initiative sponsored by the US Embassies in the region.  The purpose of my visit was to meet and talk with a wide array of citizen groups about issues surrounding freedom of expression and how cartoons and animation can promote social and political change.

It was an exhilarating and educational experience for me. I addressed students on six campuses, enjoyed panel discussions with cartoon and animator colleagues, met with local civic leaders and enjoyed exhibition openings in several venues.

I was left with a wide variety of impressions… I would like to share a few.

First, it was a privilege to meet with my cartoon and animation colleagues in these two countries. I am always amazed at the bond cartoonists share around the world. After a short conversation with my international peers I almost uniformly feel a strong kinship. Perhaps, this sense of brotherhood and sisterhood can be explained by our common use of humor to explain the human experience. Or maybe it is because we all toil and and confront the same unique challenge: Employing art to deliver thought-provoking statements on a short deadline.

Panel discussion with Lebanese cartoonists

I discovered a lively cartoon scene in both countries. In Jordan, the most prominent practitioner is Emad Hajjaj, who works for Al-Ghad Arabic daily and is also the vice president of the Jordanian Cartoonist Association. He is regarded as one of the elite commentators and humorists about daily Arab life. His best work is reserved for his social observations on the everyday life of the every man. He, like others I met in the region, continue to push the boundaries of accepted criticism in an environment of restricted speech. I was deeply impressed with his passion and determination to improve public discourse through cartoons.

Cartoon by Emad Hajjaj

Jordan is also the home of www.arabcartoon.net. The site was set up as a home for viewing, discussing, and sharing the work of cartoonists from throughout the Arab world. The site holds cartoon competitions, details exhibitions and shares news of interested to practitioners in the region. The site will no doubt be a very useful tool to help raise the standard of the craft.

Lebanon is regarded by most to have the most lively and free press in the Middle East. There are multiple newspapers, magazines and TV stations operating out of Beirut. The wide array of opinions available in the country’s media is in large part due to the splintered nature of the politics in the fragile state. Each of the major power players has media groups affiliated with them. The newspapers often reflect the perspectives of their hosts.

Kal and the great Stavro

The two most prominent cartoonists in the country are Stavro Jabra (who works for too many publications to mention) and Pierre Sadek, of An-Nahar newspaper. In addition to their print work, both are nationally known for their cartoons created LIVE on TV. I cannot think of any other market in the world where cartoonists regularly appear on the nightly news and draw a visual commentary (please correct me).  Stavro’s drawings and caricatures have brought him worldwide fame while Sadek’s brilliant work has gotten arrested him by the Lebanese security services and threatened by Hezbollah.

Addressing animation students at the SAE Institute, Amman

My visit featured exhibitions of my work in a variety of excellent venues including a shared show with cartoonists from the Jordanian Cartoonists Association. I particularly enjoyed visiting a selection of campuses to address student groups. As I am an Artist-in-Residence at an American university (UMBC) I was particularly interested in the views and perspectives of young Arab students.

Addressing Animation professionals in Jordan

The lectures I gave were largely well received. Students were especially interested in the controversy and fallout created by the recent depiction of the prophet Muhammad by Danish cartoonists. Also, I was in the Middle East when the controversy erupted over the new proposed Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem. There was very lively discussion in all my presentations about cartoons and politics concerning, US/Israel/Arab relations.

This clay miniature of me was handmade by Lebanese animator Souhaib Balaa

My visit received ample coverage from the local press including Arabic, French and English.  Here are links to some of the news stories and interviews:

The Jordan Times had two articles, the first announcing my visit to the country, the second covering an event held with Jordanian cartoonists.

The Star (Jordan) also has a take on the visit.

The great Jordanian based cartoon website www.arabcartoon.net did this article about my visit (in Arabic).

The Daily Star of Lebanon covers an event at the Lebanese Press club with Lebanese cartoonists.

Albalad Online had this story (in Arabic) on the same event.

NOW Lebanon has an online interview about my visit. Then there is this review in Arabic.

Lebanese cartoonist Stavro posted this article from La Revue du Liban about a reception with US Ambassador in Beirut.

Some of the brilliant team from the US Embassy in Amman during our visit to Yarmouk University

Finally I would like to add that we in the United States are very well served by the capable and dedicated staffs in our Embassies abroad. The men and women I met, both US citizens and local staff were smart, professional and able. I have nothing but the highest praise for them and their service. Their efforts often go unrecognised and I believe they deserve our thanks.