At a time when the news sound like jokes, humour might well be the best response to reality.
Subversive, troubling or liberating, it has played an essential role in art since the time of the avant-
garde. ‘Laughing in the face…’ stands for an attitude assumed for purposes as diverse as survival, critical
commentary and protest.

The Biennial was launched in 1973 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria and in that time humour was the only excuse to
present contemporary art work from both sides of the Iron Curtain. It is organized by the Museum of
Humour and Satire and to date is the only international art forum showcasing the use of humour in
contemporary art. It has two major sections – one for contemporary art and one for cartoon.