El País celebrated its 50th anniversary [1] with a three-day festival [1] held at Matadero Madrid in Spain during the weekend of April 26–28, 2026 [1].
The event highlighted the intersection of journalism and visual art, underscoring the influence of the publication on Spanish cultural and political life over the last half-century.
The festival featured 70 activities and acts [1] involving 150 participants [1]. Among the highlights was a live drawing session by cartoonist José María Pérez, known as Peridis. During the session, Peridis demonstrated his creative process by drawing comic panels in front of the audience [3].
Peridis, who worked alongside other illustrators including Eva Baroja, emphasized the social utility of his work. "Our profession consists of denouncing in a synthetic way that helps to understand..." Peridis said [2].
The celebration served as a retrospective of the newspaper's role in documenting Spanish history. By showcasing the work of its cartoonists, the event illustrated how visual satire has functioned as a tool for public commentary, bridging the gap between complex news and the reader's understanding.
The editorial team noted that the gathering was designed as a way for the newspaper to meet its readers directly. "This newspaper goes out to meet its readers next weekend through 70 acts and activities with 150 participants," the El País editorial team said [1].
“"Our profession consists of denouncing in a synthetic way that helps to understand..."”
The 50th-anniversary celebration reflects El País's effort to maintain cultural relevance in a digital age by emphasizing the tactile and performative aspects of journalism. By centering cartoonists like Peridis, the publication acknowledges the enduring power of visual satire to simplify and critique political narratives for a broad audience.
