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Iranian Cartoonists to Highlight Cultural Festival in Vitré, France
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A celebration of Persian arts and culture, “The New Persian Images” festival, running from November 5 to 11, 2025, in Vitré, France, will feature film competitions, photo exhibitions, literary discussions, and a Persian jazz concert. The festival will also host two prominent Iranian cartoonists for book signings, offering a unique prospect to engage with artists whose work often reflects themes of political defiance and personal resilience.
A Platform for Persian Arts
The festival, taking place in the Ille-et-Vilaine region of France, aims to showcase the breadth and depth of contemporary persian artistic expression. Beyond the visual arts, the event promises a diverse program including cinematic presentations and musical performances, creating a thorough cultural experience.
Cartoonists in Residence: Mana Chair and Mana Neyestani
On Thursday,November 6,two Iranian cartoonists – Mana Chair and Mana Neyestani – will participate in book signings at the At the Tour of Stories bookstore,located on rue Poterie. Both artists bring compelling stories of artistic expression in the face of political challenges.
Mana Chair: From Tehran to Paris
Mana Chair, an Iranian refugee currently residing in France, will be signing copies of her comics, The Lines That Trace My Body (Casterman) and shadi (Here and there), from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. According to a note from Casterman, Chair initially pursued a degree in industrial design in Tehran but harbored a lifelong passion for animated cinema. After relocating to France in 2011, she continued her studies in animation at gobelins in Paris and has since worked as a character designer for animation studios both in France and internationally. The Lines That Trace My Body marks her debut as a comic book author.
Mana Neyestani: A voice of Defiance
Mana Neyestani, born in tehran in 1973, has garnered meaningful recognition for his political cartoons. Initially trained as an architect, Neyestani began his career in 1990 as a designer and illustrator for various cultural and political publications. His work gained prominence with the rise of Iranian reformist newspapers in 1999,as noted by Here and there.
Labeled a political cartoonist, Neyestani faced persecution for his work, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and subsequent flight from Iran in 2006. He spent several years in exile, first in Malaysia from 2007 to 2010, creating illustrations for Iranian dissident websites. His cartoons became a symbol of resistance following the disputed 2009 election.
Neyestani has published several books in France, including An Iranian Metamorphosis (2012), a recounting of his imprisonment and escape; everything is Fine! (2013), a collection of his press cartoons; and A Little Manual for the Perfect Political Refugee (2015). He has received numerous accolades,including the 2010 CRNI (Cartoonists Rights Network International) Courage award,the international press cartoon Prize in 2012 presented by Kofi Annan,and the Alsatian Prize for Democratic Engagement in 2015. He has been a political refugee in France since 2011 and is a member of the Cartooning for Peace association.
