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• Arts and Culture
• Paint and Sculpture
• 07 / 19 / 2007

Sait Munzur, winner of the of the Grand Prix Eduardo Abela in the last edition of the International Biennial of Humor held in San Antonio de los Baños, donated the prize to Cuban children. This the first time a winner of this prize does something like this.

In his 35 years of experience as a cartoonist, Munzur has won more than 80 awards, some of them with prize Money included, but this is the first one he resigns to the money to donate it to a school of orphan children in Cuba.

The artist feels a great admiration for Cuba, though he has never been here. According to the artist «Cuba is different. It has a different sense for me, » the cartoonist expressed. Munzur is also a member of the Turkish Association of Friendship with Cuba Jose Marti.

Besides being a cartoonist, he also illustrates childrens books. He has worked for a number of Turkish newspapers and magazines and he has been collaborating with Birgun (One day) newspaper lately.

«My cartoons deal with universal topics. I want them to be permanent, with no text and simple so everybody can understand them, » he says.

" Why did you decide to take part in the 15th International Biennial of Humor of San Antonio de los Baños?

«I received a publication from Cuba in which I could see the interest of the people for this event where hundreds of people take part. It impressed me a lot. The unity of the people is what makes the difference in this event as compared with others around the world. »

«Caricatures are a universal language; they can reach Cuban, German and Turkish people as well. Usually, I dont participate in all contests; I only attend those that have honest and decent objectives.

"What do you think of graphic humor?

«Caricaturists are always the first to defend their homeland. The best example is the caricaturists from my country, Turkey, Iran and Cuba. Their pens are their weapons. »

"A cash prize is always welcome, why did you donated it to a institution for Cuban children?

Two outstanding figures of my country inspired me to do so. One of them is Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, a man who fought for the Turkish independence his whole life. «Youll have to leave as you came,» was his threat to the imperialist forces that occupied Turkey. And he fulfilled his promise with the support of his people. Ataturk expressed his desire to set April 23, day in which the parliament was founded, as the national Child Day.

The other person is Aziz Nesin, one of the best comedy writers of the world. He donated all the income of the selling of his books to the Nesin Foundation, which is dedicated to help kids without family, and reintegrate them to society. This organization was founded 30 years ago. Taking all this into account, it would have been an embarrassment not to donate the money I earned "1,000 dollars" to the Cuban kids. Mustafa Kemal o Aziz Nesin would have done the same.

Have you been to Cuba?

Please, dont think I am exaggerating when I say that Cuba is the only country I want to visit. One of the most famous theatre actors in Turkey, Ferhan Sensoy, shot a film in Cuba titled «When Luck Breaks the Door.» Later, he published the book «Pilgrimage to Communism» which deals with his impressions about Cuba throughout the time of his stay in Cuba. His book encouraged my desire to visit the island.

Which are the main dilemmas faced by Turkish cartoonists today?

Nowadays, cartoons oblivious of the real problems of the people are in fashion. Newspapers isolate cartoons, and we the artists try to find alternatives, such as exhibitions, to rise our voices. In 2007 I made two exhibitions, one in February and another in April. The interest of the population is enough for us. The co-exhibits and the books are fresh air for us.

When will you come to Cuba?

As soon as possible. As many people travelling to Cuba I dream of meeting Fidel Castro. I was able to reach the Cuban people with my cartoons first, and now through this interview I would like to tell them as Fidel Castro said: «We are on the right way.»

Source: Juventud Rebelde