42nd International Satirical Graphic Competition “Golden Apple” /Romania 2026

Theme:

1- Humorous Drawing with the theme: “WAR AND/OR PEACE”.

2- Portrait with the theme: “BRÂNCUŞI – 150 YEARS”.

Deadline:4 March 2026

The organizer of the current edition of the Festival is the House of Culture of Trade Unions Bistrita, with the support of: Bistrita Municipality (Local Council), Bistrita Palace of Culture, National Association of Trade Union Houses of Culture in Romania, Union of Epigram Writers of Romania, Bistrita Fruit Research Station, Women’s League Association of Bistrita-Năsăud County.

The International Festival of Satire and Humor “Golden Apple” will take place on 3–4 April 2026.

The International Satirical Graphic Competition “Golden Apple”, Bistrita, 2026 – 42nd edition is open to all cartoonists worldwide.

Competition Sections

The competition is structured into two main sections:

1) NATIONAL SECTION

• Competition section for adults and pupils up to 18 years old.

Categories:

1- Humorous Drawing with the theme: “WAR AND/OR PEACE”.

2- Portrait with the theme: “BRÂNCUŞI – 150”.

2) INTERNATIONAL SECTION

Categories:

1- Humorous Drawing with the theme: “WAR AND/OR PEACE”.

2- Portrait with the theme: “BRÂNCUŞI – 150 YEARS”.

Participants may submit a maximum of three works per theme.

All entries must be accompanied by a CV in Romanian or English, including the following information: full name, address, contact phone number, e-mail address, country of origin, a copy of the ID card or passport, and an IBAN bank account.

The artworks must be sent in JPG format (300 dpi) to the following e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone/Fax: +40 263 233 345; +40 745 970 250

The submission deadline is 4 March 2026 (postmark date).

The works selected for awards will be included in the Satirical Graphic Exhibition “Golden Apple” – 2026.

All submitted works will be evaluated by an international jury composed of prominent personalities in the field.

Notes:

Works submitted after 4 March 2026 will not be accepted into the competition.

The prizes awarded in the three competition sections consist of cash prizes, diplomas, and trophies.

The jury holds exclusive authority regarding the allocation, ranking, redistribution, and awarding of prizes.

The submitted works will not be returned and will remain in the Festival archive.

The organizers reserve the right to publish or display the participants’ works in the Festival Catalogue, on the website, or in other related promotional materials, without requesting further consent from the participants.

Works or texts with obscene content will not be accepted.

After the jury deliberation, the winners of the Satirical Graphic Competition will be notified in due time in order to attend the Award Ceremony and the Laureates’ Gala “GOLDEN APPLE – 2026”.

The Golden Apple Festival exclusively promotes original creation.

Works made (created) entirely with AI will be disqualified from the competition.

All correspondence regarding the Festival should be sent to:

HOUSE OF CULTURE OF TRADE UNIONS BISTRIȚA

3 Alexandru Odobescu Street, 420043 Bistrita, ROMANIA

For further information:

Phone/Fax: +40 263 233 345; +40 745 970 250

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

ENTRY FORM: