CAIRO - “I don't think so," a woman says desperately, while looking at a caricature of the former governmental ministers who are now in Torah Prison, accused of stealing public money and corruption and the business tycoon Ahmed Ezz, in the same prison, while saying: "Don't worry. He [Hosni Mubarak] will join you soon." This woman and many other fans of caricature were attending the opening ceremony on Wednesday night of an exhibition entitled, ‘The Revolution of the Caricature', at el-Sawy Cultural Centre, in Zamalek. "These drawings paved the way for the revolution," said cartoonist Mohamed Effat, known as Effat. "We are in a state of emotional upheaval in Egypt right now. We reflect the reality," he added, pointing out one of his cartoons, which depicts the vital role of the social networking site, Facebook, in sparking the revolution. There are 65 Egyptian cartoonists displaying 450 of their works, drawn before and after the revolution. The exhibition , organised by the Egyptian Society for Caricatures, an NGO. For young cartoonist Samah Farouq, caricatures are a daily message for readers, telling them about everything that's been going on during the revolution and "to urge people to go Al Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the revolt". "I spent the entire 18-day revolution in Al Tahrir. I only went home at night to draw what had inspired me during the day and then posting it on Facebook," she said. Her cartoons have been admired by her 5,000 Facebook fans, who have dubbed her ‘The Caricaturist of the Revolt', as she said."It's better to live the event with its bad and joyful moments. Before Mubarak stepped down [on February 11], the protesters were on the verge of running out of patience, but they didn't lose hope. So I have drawn a big leg, which represents the Egyptians' will, stamping on Mubarak," she explained, enthusiastically. One of her cartoons in the exhibition depicts a huge tree with many deep roots, expressing the former ruling National Democratic Party, and a big shovel, representing the revolution, trying to uproot it. It's entitled: ‘The revolution hasn't ended yet'. Prominent cartoonist Gomaa Farahat uses his pen not just to highlight the problems of society, but also to raise the awareness of readers, especially after the revolt. "There are some groups which have surfaced since the revolt, like the Salafists. For me, they're more interested in the form than the content," he said. One Salafist recently said that he hoped that 80 million Egyptians would let their beards grow long. Gomaa has drawn a family, with each member sporting a long beard, even the little children! "I want to raise readers' awareness of the importance of using their minds in discussing any topic," he told The Egyptian Gazette. "People should feel the importance of democracy and freedom of expression," Gomaa added, stressing that Egypt is going through a difficult time, with no improvements being felt by the majority of the people. That is why he supports today's ‘Friday of Persistence', a million-man demonstration in Al Tahrir, to pressure the authorities into expediting reforms and the trial of officials from the former regime.
‘The Revolution of the Caricature' exhibition, being held at Sawy Cultural Centre, end of July 26th St., Zamalek, runs until July 15.
