The organization in charge of running one of the biggest cultural events in all of Greece, the Patras Carnival, has announced that they’re withdrawing the winning poster that was submitted to a contest— because the designers have been accused of, well, let’s just say… a lack of originality.
Organizers launched a competition and asked creative Greeks to submit posters that would be used to promote the annual festival of fun and hedonism that kicks off the pre-Lenten period in the Patras— now one of the largest of such celebrations in Europe that attracts hundreds of thousands of people.
The contest was launched and designers submitted their entries. The winner was announced— a colorful, fun, vibrant poster that, according to its creators— Maria Pylarinou, in collaboration with Philippos Botonis— represented “vitality, optimism, joy, excitement—all emotions and, above all, human communication. Thus, the poster features human figures, movement, and vibrant colors that reflect the mood and festive atmosphere of these days.”
The only problem… those exciting, vibrant, festive and moving human figures… well, they were someone else’s creations— namely, a renowned American illustrator named Nate Williams.
Illustrations by American artist Nate Williams
Of course, the controversy broke online with X users crying foul and accusing the designers of creative plagiarism.
The Patras Carnival organizers were quick to disqualify the poster and noted to the media that not only does the copied poster undermine the uniqueness and authenticity of the Patras Carnival, but it raises legal concerns for the Municipality of Patras. “We do not want to expose the Municipality to a situation that could ridicule us,” Pavlos Skouras, head of the Carnival committee stated.
Regarding next steps, Mr. Skouras stated that all options are on the table and that decisions will be made promptly to avoid losing valuable time. “Our goal is to find a new solution with a poster that is worthy of the withdrawn one, paying particular attention to authenticity and meticulous design. We want a Carnival built on genuine materials and a poster that expresses the true spirit of the Patras Carnival.”
The “copied” Disqualified Poster
