The European Cartoon Award (ECA) announced the winners for 2025 at a major ceremony hosted by the Dutch city of The Hague. The grand prize for this year was awarded to Dutch cartoonist Tjeerd Royaards for a work depicting the crimes of the “Zionist” occupation, highlighting the international community’s silence regarding the ongoing crimes against Palestinian civilians.
This year’s edition saw a prominent presence from the well-known Jordanian cartoonist Emad Hajjaj, who achieved “Runner-up” status for his works, confirming the global standing of Arab cartooning and its ability to compete in European and international forums.
Turkish cartoonist Zehra Ömeroğlu also received a “Runner-up” position for her works, while the “Honorable Mention” went to the renowned Swiss cartoonist Patrick Chappatte.
The 2025 shortlist included a group of prominent cartoonists who reached the final stages, among them: Ella Baron (United Kingdom), Thomas Serrano (Spain), Shahrokh Heidari, Niels Bo Bojesen (Denmark), and Zézé (Portugal).
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This year’s edition was distinguished by a strategic partnership with the Museum for Sound & Vision, and with support from the city of The Hague and a journalism stimulus fund.
“Cartoon Day” aims to create a space for direct dialogue between artists and the public, to explore the impact of cartoons on social and democratic discourse.
Arab “Runner-up” Emad Hajjaj
Emad Hajjaj is a Jordanian cartoonist of Palestinian origin, born in 1967, who graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Yarmouk University in 1991. He is known for his exceptional ability to transform complex political and social issues into simple yet profound drawings, making him one of the most influential cartoonists in Arab public opinion.
Emad Hajjaj’s name is associated with the character “Abu Mahjoub,” a simple Jordanian citizen who wears the traditional “hatta and dishdasha.” Through this character, Hajjaj has been able to critique bureaucracy, corruption, and negative social phenomena with a satirical style that blends pain and laughter, making “Abu Mahjoub” the voice of the Arab person confronting daily concerns.
About the European Cartoon Award
The award was founded in 2019 with the aim of supporting and encouraging cartoonists in their essential role as guardians of freedom of expression and analysts of political reality. The award’s selections are based on a specialized jury panel.
