The Town Hall of Manzanares el Real, through the Department of Citizen Participation, has opened the registration period for the I Municipal Micro-story and Illustration Competition for International Peace Day, with racism as the central theme.
On 20th September 2026, Manzanares el Real will celebrate International Peace Day with an event that combines literature and art to combat racism. The Department of Citizen Participation, at the initiative of the Community Council for Peace Culture, has launched the I Municipal Micro-story and Illustration Competition, which is part of the International Peace Culture Zone of the municipality.
Under the slogan “Brushstrokes and Letters for Peace: Together Against Racism,” the unique theme of this first edition is “How to Combat Racism”, aiming to promote diversity, empathy, respect for human rights, intercultural dialogue, and coexistence. Anyone registered, residing, studying, or connected to Manzanares el Real can participate.
The competition establishes two categories: Children/Youth, for those up to 16 years old, and Adults, from 17 onwards. Each participant may submit one work per category, either a written micro-story – between 50 and 150 words, excluding the title – or an illustration in any technique (drawing, painting, digital design, comic, collage, or mixed), which may include a slogan of up to 30 words.
The works, which must be original and unpublished, can be sent by email to participacion.ciudadana@manzanareselreal.es or delivered in person at the General Registry until Tuesday 15th September 2026 at 23:59 hours. To ensure impartiality, each submission must be presented in two documents: one with the work signed with a pseudonym and another with the envelope containing the author's personal details.
The jury, composed of representatives from the Department of Citizen Participation, members of the Community Council for Peace Culture, and professionals from illustration and literature, will evaluate the message against racism, creativity, communicative ability, originality, and the social value of the proposals. Recognitions include a Diploma of Honour signed by both entities, special dissemination of the work on municipal channels, and an interview or report tailored to each category.
This initiative aims to engage the residents of Manzanares el Real in building a culture of peace, offering a space for creative expression for all ages. Interested parties can consult the complete rules on the municipal website, within the International Peace Culture Zone.
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