And Old Bill saw it was good... exhibition "Humor as a weapon" opened yesterday...

I must congratulate the ECC team for the excellent new exhibition. Old Bill, the character created by Bruce Bainsfather saw it wasn't good, it was just excellent!  Come and see...

European Cartoon Center Kruishoutem Belgium

Starting the 29th of June
Humour can be a weapon - cartoons from the Great War

War and humour? Two things that, at first glance, are incompatible.
However, cartoons had an enormous impact during World War I. Humour was a powerful propaganda weapon during this war, but it was also a strategy for survival, in which amusement and comradeship helped civilians and soldiers bear their situation. Caricatures and other derisive drawings certainly had a soothing power, in addition to their strategic aspect.

This exhibition certainly does not aim to trace the history of the war through cartoons. Our aim is more to invite you to step into the war years. Put yourself in the skin of this soldier setting off for the front, or this starving citizen desperate to flee...

The old cartoons are complemented by contemporary cartoons about war and violence, and the hope for peace that also lives in the international symbol of the 'peace dove'.

You can visit the exhibition from June 29 to September 21, 2014 in the ECC, every Sunday from 10 to 12 and 14 to 17 hours. Groups of 10 persons or more are welcome on other days by appointment.

After the exhibition in Kruishoutem "Humour can be a weapon" will also be presented in Wavre, Rixensart, Eupen, Brussels ...

Bruce Bainsfather, my favorite WWI cartoonist.