Patrick Chappatte

Patrick Chappatte is a Lebanese-Swiss editorial cartoonist whose work has contributed to political discourse internationally for more than three decades. Known as Chappatte, he has contributed to major outlets including Le Temps, NZZ am Sonntag, Der Spiegel, The New York Times International Edition, and Le Canard enchaîné. Earlier in his career, Chappatte worked for The New York Times Book Review and created the comic strip "Rob the Cybernaut" for Newsweek International, before drawing political cartoons for the International Herald Tribune and later introducing the genre to The New York Times.

Many of Chappatte's cartoons address events in Swiss and global news, such as the September 11 attacks, the rise of the Swiss People's Party, and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He is recognized as a pioneer in graphic journalism, or comics reportage, publishing more than 30 stories on topics ranging from conditions in Nairobi slums to gang violence in Guatemala. In a notable project, Chappatte created "Inside Death Row," a five-part series for The New York Times, marking the publication's first foray into graphic journalism. This work formed part of a broader initiative on capital punishment, including "Windows on Death Row," an art exhibition featuring works from U.S. editorial cartoonists and contributions from death row inmates, which toured the United States. Chappatte's interviews with prisoners in maximum-security facilities contributed to the book "This is the End," with a foreword by Joseph Stiglitz.

Chappatte is a three-time recipient—and the only non-American—of the Overseas Press Club of America's Best Cartoon Award. He has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and received an honorary doctorate from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. The Fondation pour Genève awarded him its annual prize for his contribution to the influence of Geneva and his commitment to freedom of the press and expression. He has also been honored with the Genève Reconnaissante medal in recognition of his work with the Geneva-based Freedom Cartoonists Foundation.

Chappatte chairs the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation, previously known as Cartooning for Peace, inspired by cartoonist Jean Plantu and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan. The Foundation awards the Kofi Annan Courage in Cartooning Award every two years, with ceremonies attended by Nobel Peace laureates and media figures such as Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov, Shirin Ebadi, and Christiane Amanpour. Chappatte co-authored the book "Censure en Amérique" with U.S. cartoonist Ann Telnaes, published by Les Arènes in Paris.

Chappatte has spoken at the World Economic Forum, TED, and New York Times conferences, presenting lectures that incorporate cartoons and animations. His stand-up show, "Chappatte en scène," toured in sold-out theaters. Through his editorial cartoons, Chappatte addresses injustice and political issues with humor and insight, establishing his voice in the field of political commentary and editorial cartooning.