Addis Ababa, April 21, 2024 (FBC) – Russian Center for Science and Culture (Pushkin Center) in Addis Ababa organized an exhibition of political cartoons drawn by Boris Efimov on Saturday under the theme “Nothing Changes in Politics”.
The cartoons featured at the exhibition were selected based on their historical significance and artistic values, it was stated on the occasion.
During the exhibition, Ambassador of Russia to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, exclusively told FBC that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is gaining momentum in diplomatic, economic and political spheres.
Ambassador Evgeny stated that a range of activities are underway to enhance the ties between Russia and Ethiopia in cultural and people to people relations, adding that the exhibition will contribute to the efforts in this regard.
“Boris Efimov is a great Russian cartoonist. He is the author of about 70,000 drawings. He lived for 108 years and died in 2008. His cartoons depicted major political phenomena in the world including the African continent during his time,” the Ambassador explained.
Director of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa, Alexander Evstigneev, in an exclusive interview with FBC, said that the exhibition aims to show that nothings changes in politics.
The cartoonist created his works fifty years ago. But things are still the same. The cartoons illustrate how the players in the world politics remain unchanged. The exhibition has a purpose helping spectators understand what was going on in the African continent and the rest of the world fifty years ago and broaden perspectives on the major events of the time.
The cartoons not only depict the political situation in various parts of the world but also create a good sense of humor. The political and diplomatic history of Russia, Africa and Ethiopia in particular and many other countries of the world has been explained in the cartoons. So, they have paramount significance in terms of serving as an alternative reference for students, researchers and other people interested in history, politics and diplomacy, he added.
Nikolai Viktorovich Starikov, a Russian author and social activist, tabled presentation regarding the significance of Boris Efimov’s cartoons in leading people to deeper understanding of major political and historical events a half century ago.