Handala is a character which was created in 1969 by political cartoonist Naji Al-Ali, and first took its current form in 1973. Handala became the signature of Naji al-Ali’s cartoons and remains an iconic symbol of Palestinian identity and defiance and depicts the complexities of the plight of Palestinian refugees. These cartoons are still relevant today and Handala, the refugee child who is present in every cartoon, remains a potent symbol of the struggle of the Palestinian people for justice and self-determination.
Naji Al-Ali wrote: “Handala was born ten years old, and he will always be ten years old. I presented him to the poor and named him Handala as a symbol of bitterness.
To read more about Handala and Naji’s work , please follow the link: http://www.handala.org/handala/
Don’t miss out on the release of new series of ‘In Handala’s Playground’ in the next few days!