PRESS KIT
Brussels, 2nd September 2014
Comics Festival 2014
5 to 7 September 2014
Comics are right at home in Brussels, and you can tell!
Our paper heroes are everywhere: bookshops, wall murals, exhibitions, art galleries, television, even
Hollywood has fallen under their spell: on 21 October 2011 the world premiere of Steven Spielberg's
cinema adaptation of Tintin took place in Brussels whilst the Smurfs, strengthened by their initial
success, will be reappearing this summer.
The Comics Festival was created in 2010 by the Brussels-Capital Region as the logical continuation of
the comic strip themed year organized in Brussels in 2009.
In 2014, Brussels is going to experience a highly colorful weekend from 5-7 September, with its now
famous Comics Festival, but also Comics Night taking place in the Parc de Bruxelles, the Balloon’s Day
Parade, the Tintin Magazine Rally, guided tours and comic exhibitions at the festival and throughout
the city.
During this one-off weekend, the Parc de Bruxelles will welcome museums, exhibitions, publishers,
bookshops, boutiques and signing sessions.
The Comics Festival 2014
Date: 5- 7 September 2014
Place: Parc de Bruxelles – Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR)
Price: Free
An initiative by the Brussels-Capital Region
with the support of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the City of Brussels and COCOF (College of the
French Community Commission)
coordinated by visit.brussels
COMICS FESTIVAL
All aboard at Parc de Bruxelles! Billions of blistering blue barnacles! Comic strip fans will be able to
visit bookshops, publishers, museums, exhibitions, boutiques and numerous activities for adults and
children alike.
Activities
As well as the annual theme and as part of the Comics Festival, a whole range of activities have been
organised.
Book-signing sessions
More than a hundred authors will be lining up in the Comic Strip Festival marquees to sign
your favourite albums and to unveil their latest masterpieces!
Conferences
The Comics Festival will be focusing on the past and the present with a series of talks looking
at the theme “When reality meets the comic”. Authors, journalists and historians will be
talking about this new type of comic book that deals with war, labour disputes, the
environment and journalism.
Over the last thirty years, comics have gradually moved away from their image of a form of
entertainment aimed at youngsters, with the emergence of a new genre, with roots firmly in
reality, devoted to creating witness accounts, journalism and documentaries.
This is why dozens of authors, journalists and historians will be taking part in a number of
talks about this new Comic Book, tackling thought-provoking subjects such as war, social
conflict, ecology and journalism.
The speakers include scriptwriters and artists from publishing companies such as Futuropolis,
Dargaud, Dupuis, Casterman and the Revue Dessinée, including Kris, Sylvain Lapoix, Daniel
Blancou, Louis Theillier, Laurent Galandon, and many more.
Alongside this, a number of talks will also be put on looking at the theme of Turkey, this
year’s guest of honour.
FRIDAY 5 September
5.30pm - Introduction to Turkish comics
Although Belgians aren’t exactly experts in Turkish cartoons, this country, bridge
between the East and the West, is a leading country in the 9th art.
The co-founder of the comic book festival Istanbulles in Istanbul and editor-in-chief
of ActuaBD.com, Didier Pasamonik will be coming to tell us about the secrets and
charm of Turkish cartoons, as well as the main Turkish authors, including the classics
as well as the more contemporary.
Didier Pasamonik – 45’
SATURDAY 6 September
11.30am – Comics alla Turca: images and stereotypes of Turks in Franco-Belgian
comics
As part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Turkish immigration in
Belgium, Alain Servantie will talk to us about the guiding themes of the exhibition
Comics alla Turca: he will tell us about how comics represent Turkey and the Turks,
from the very first Orientalist descriptions to the various political developments
throughout the 20th century.
Alain Servantie – 45’
1pm – La Revue Dessinée: the birth of a new media
La Revue Dessinée, a quarterly magazine published in an online cartoon format. The
concept will be presented by Franck Bourgeron, editor in chief of La Revue Dessinée,
Kris, its communications director, Sylvain Lapoix, David Vandermeulen and Daniel
Blancou, writers for La Revue.
Franck Bourgeron, Kris, Sylvain Lapoix, David Vandermeulen, Daniel Blancou – 60’
3pm – War in comics: a subject that fills speech bubbles
There are a lot of comics in which the stories are connected to war. Why is war so
interesting to comic book authors? Kris and David Vandermeulen, two auteurs who
have done a lot of work on this subject, will share their thoughts on the issue at a
round table discussion led by Daniel Couvreur, a journalist from Le Soir newspaper
and a fount of knowledge about cartoons.
Kris, David Vandermeulen, Daniel Couvreur – 60’
4.30pm – Factories and speech bubbles: comics as a megaphone for labour disputes
Louis Theillier and Laurent Galandon are two comic book authors who have been
looking at the mobilisation of workers when their factories have been shut down. In
“Johnson m’a tuer” Louis Theillier, both a protagonist and a witness, presents a
logbook detailing this labour dispute. Laurent Galadon uses the story of “Lip” to talk
about when Lip watches were taken hostage by the factory workers.
This round table discussion, led by Daniel Couvreur, a cartoon expert and journalist
for Le Soir, will compare and contrast these two stories.
Louis Theillier, Laurent Galandon, Daniel Couvreur – 60’
5.30pm – Shale gas: comic book authors investigate
Where does shale gas come from? What lobbying does it trigger among partisans and
their opposition? How is this new energy redefining world geopolitics? Sylvain Lapoix
and Daniel Blancou, the authors of the comic “Énergies extremes”, will be talking
about their extensively documented investigation into shale gas and the
consequences of its use.
Sylvain Lapoix, Daniel Blancou – 60’
7pm – Drawing Concert with YounnLocard, Ismail Dogan and Eugenio Nittolo
Over the intoxicating chants of Turkish music played live, the young artists Younn
Locard (Dérives orientales), Eugenio Nittolo (La Camaraderie) and the caricaturist
Ismail Dogan draw their vision of Turkey, as they discovered and experienced it.
YounnLocard, Ismail Dogan and Eugenio Nittolo – 45’
SUNDAY 7 September
11.30am – Belgian-Turkish and Turkish-Belgian journeys
Three artists: Walter Goossens, co-author of the Scrameustache, one episode of
which takes place in Turkey, Younn Locard and Ismail Dogan, a Turkish comic book
author who emigrated to Belgium, talk about their Turkey, both real and imaginary.
Walter Goossens, Younn Locard, Ismail Dogan – 60’
12.45pm : Drama in the coalmines: comic books as a witness
In his comic book, “Marcinelle 1956”, Sergio Salma meticulously and sensitively
analyses the months that led up to the tragedy at the Bois du Cazier coal mine in
1856 and the day-to-day life of miners at that time. The conference will be led by
Morgan Di Salvia, author of the historic postscript in the booklet.
Sergio Salma – Morgan Di Salvia – 45’
2pm – Les Vieux Fournaux: When reality inspires fiction
Lupano Wilfrid will present his work on the storyline of the comic book “Les Vieux
Fournaux”, which talks about our era as though it is a tragicomedy, with all its social,
political and cultural upheaval as well as its crises.
Lupano Wilfrid – 45’
3pm – Focus on Comic Book Journalism
Fabrice Preyat, professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (NFSR) and a comic
book aficionado, will tell you all the stories of comic book journalism in the company
of specialized authors as Renaud De Heyn, the author of the graphic novel « L’évadé
de la secte » and « La Route du Kif ».
Renaud De Heyn, Fabrice Preyat, Jeroen Janssen – 60’
4pm - Comic Book Journalism: when a journalist uses comics to talk about his
experience in Afghanistan
Daniel Couvreur volunteers to interview Pascale Bourgaux, the eminent reporter for
the RTBF, about “les larmes du seigneur Afghan” (literally, the tears of Lord Afghan).
This book is an adaptation of his reports from Afghanistan, written in collaboration
with the author Zabus and the illustrator Campi. Pascale Bourgaux paints a portrait
for us of a small Afghan village, its complex situation, and day-to-day life there, as
well as that of a leading reporter on the ground.
Pascale Bourgaux, Daniel Couvreur – 45’
Signing sessions
More than a hundred authors will be lining up in the Comic Strip Festival marquees to sign
your favourite albums and to unveil their latest masterpieces!
ALAIN PONCELET
ALARY PIERRE
ALESANDRA JOEL
ARROYO
AYMOND
BAILLY
BARUTY BARLY
BENETEAU BEJAMIN
BERCOVICI
BERTSCHY
BEURIOT JEAN-MICHEL
BISCHOP LEONIE
BLONDEAU MURIEL
BODART
BONHOMME
BRAVO
CAPIA
CARIN
CAUUET PAUL
CHANOUGA
CHAREL CAMBRÉ
COLLIN
CROMHEECKE LUC
DAIRIN
DAL GILLES
DAN
DANIEL BLANCOU
DARASSE
DAVOZ
DE BRAB
DE HEYN RENAUD
DE MOOR JOHAN
DEHAES SERGE
DEL
DELVAUX JEAN-LUC
DESSY BEN
DEVILLE BAUDOUIN
DODIER
DOL
DUCHATEAU ANDRE PAUL
DUFRANNE
DUHOO
DURIEUX
EUGÉNIO NITTOLO
FALZAR
FEROUMONT
FINDALKY
FLOCH
FOERSTER PHILIPPE
FOURNIER
FRODO DE DECKER
GALANDON LAURENT
GAUMER PATRICK
GLOWGOWSKI
GODI
GOOSSENS WALTER
GRAZA
HARDY
HENIN
HENRIET
HERMANN
IAH-HEL
JAAP DE BOER
JAILLOUX MARC
JAN CLEIJNE
JANNIN
JANRY
JANSSEN JEROEN
JOOR LOUISE
JÜRG
KAS
KERASKOËT
KOX
KRASSINSKI
KRIS
LAFEBRE JORDI
LAMQUET CHRIS
LAPOIX SYLVAIN
LAUDEC
LIBON
LOUIS JACQUES
MALTAITE
MARCHAND
MAZAURETTE
MAZEL
MEYNET FELIX
MUNUERA
NEURAY OLIVIER
OIRY
PALMISANO
PAPAZOGLAKIS
PAQUET ROBERT
PRINCESSE JEAN-CLAUDE
RAIVES
REGRIC
SALMA
SAVOIA
SERVAIS
SIBYLLE LOOF
SOWA
SPELTENS OLIVIER
STI
STUF
SWYSEN BERNARD
TARUMBANA
TAYMANS
THEILLIER LOUIS
THEO
TOME
TORTON
TRONDHEIM
USAGI
VEHLMANN
VERRON
VINOIS
WALT
WALTHÉRY
WARNAUTS ERIC
Times available in the signing areas and on www.ComicsFestival.be
WASTERLAIN MARS
WEINBERG OLIVIER
WEYLAND
WILFRID LUPANO
WILLEM ETIENNE
WINIS
YOUNN LOCARD
ZIDROU
Exhibitors
Numerous bookshops, comic book dealers and micro-publishers will be there for this third
“Comic Strip Festival”: sale of new or second-hand comic books, specific merchandising,
introductions to new authors, and more. Plenty to delight comic book collectors, experienced
bargain-hunters and enthusiasts looking for something new!
Bookshops:
•
•
•
•
•
LittleNemo
Het Besloten Land: www.hbl.be
Ribambelle
The Skull: www.skullbd.com
Forbidden Zone: www.forbiddenzone.net
Micro- and Independent Publishers:
•
Atelier 24:http://atelier24bd.blogspot.be
•
180° Editions - Bruxelles BD:www.180editions.com
•
Fenice BD: www.fenice-bd.eu
•
BD Must: www.bdmust.be
•
Michel d'Agostini
•
Coustoon:www.coustoon.com
•
Editions Bande à Part: www.editions-bap.com
•
SKAD: www.barje.be
•
Editions du singe: www.leseditionsdusinge.com
•
Bandes Gribouillées: www.bandesgribouillees.com
Comic book sellers (selling new, second-hand and collectible comic books):
•
Comix SPRL
•
Vincent Van Hee
•
Ronald Vanden Branden
•
Amazonie BD
•
YakaBD: vers www.yakabd.com
•
BD Stock
•
Vincent Delvaux
•
Stefanix
•
Horizon BD: http://horizonbd.com
•
Jean-Pierre Braun
•
Maillé Etienne
Special events:
Macadam Valley : www.macadamvalley.com
Macadam Valley, alias Ben Dessy, will give youngsters aged between 8 and 12 the
chance to get to grips with the techniques of drawing, cutting and narrating, so that
they can create their own cartoon.
Comics are the art of telling a story through a series of drawings that may or may not
include text.
Ben Dessy is 27, and he studied comics at the Erg. Winner of the Golden Blog Award
in 2012 for his blog BDwww.macadamvalley.com, he is now the author of “Macadam
Valley – le début de la fin” (literally, Macadam Valley, the beginning of the end) and
of “Hors d'Oeuvre” published respectively in June 2013 and March 2014 by publisher
Même Pas Mal.
Fan Wars: www.fanwars.be
The 501st FanWars Garrison will immerse visitors in the world of Star Wars, with
original sets, models, costumes and fantastic animation. The dark side will
overwhelm any visitor who dares to sit on Palpatine’s throne.
Smurf Store: www.smurfstore.be
Following tradition, the “Smurf Store” will be at the 2104 comic strip festival, and will
present its exclusive collection of merchandise to visitors as well as activities and
games at the stand from which several gifts can be won.
Stripgids: http://stripgids.org
“The Antwerp 2014 Book Fair will be dedicated to the theme of comic books! Les
Stripgids, Flemish comic book experts, invite you on a journey of discovery around
the world of Flemish comics, with a jam-packed programme.”
Students from Saint-Luc – digital arts department
The students will be presenting their projects: from interactive animated worlds to
designs for video games and online projects, the students look forward to introducing
you to their rich and varied graphic worlds.
Demonstration of the pressing of a comic book plate by Eugenio Nittolo.
Presentation and demonstration of the work of the caricaturist Ismaïl Dogan.
Jean-Guichon Editeur : www.jeanguichon.com
Fanzines production! Creating books free of charge and completely spontaneously,
like you might throw a tantrum or have a siesta: that’s the principle embraced by the
team at Jean Guichon Editeur. Come and find out about how they work, and get
involved! In this unique workshop, young and old alike can use a selection of felt-tips
and paper to create an original book to take home and brighten up your bookshelf
with the memory of an afternoon of unbridled creativity!
KissKissBankBank loves comics! KissKissBankBank, a crowdfunding platform, and the
Angoulême International Comics Festival have launched “Les Jeunes Talents
s’exposent” (literally, young talent on display). The team at KissKissBankBank will be
presenting the project submitted by the winner, Guillaume Chauchat, among others.
“Les Jeunes Talents s’exposent”: a call for projects among former selected artists and
winners of the Jeunes Talents competition. This year, three young talents, picked in
advance by the Festival, have submitted their exhibition projects to the public vote
on KissKissBankBank. The winner, Guillaume Chauchat, will be launching his
collection on KissKissBankBank in the autumn, and he will be presenting his project
during the Comics Festival. The KissKissBankBank team will also present other
crowdfunding projects connected to the world of cartoons.
To find out more about the cartoon projects on KissKissBankBank :
http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/fr/discover/categories/cartoon/successful
As well as the mentor page of the International Comics Festival’s website:
http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/fr/users/festival-international-de-la-bandedessinee
Exhibitions
The Comic Strip Festival is also a great time to make the most of the many free exhibitions in
the marquees, thanks to the involvement of Brussels’ museums (Belgian Comic Strip Center,
MOOF, and others), leading Belgian publishing houses (Dupuis, Lombard, Graton, etc.) or
independent publishers for you to discover!
Belgian Comic Strip Center
Over the last twenty-five years since the Belgian Comic Strip Center (CBBD) was
founded, plenty of comic book authors have created images illustrating the CBBD or
using it as a backdrop for an episode of comic book adventures.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its opening to the public and the 30th anniversary
of the association that created it, the Belgian Comic Strip Center has decided to
present a selection of original pieces specially designed for it at different points in its
history. They demonstrate the exceptional creativity and talent of some hugely
popular artists.
Ernest et Rebecca (publ. by Le Lombard)
The Ernest et Rebecca comic strip tells the story of a little girl who sometimes finds
herself lost in this grown-up world. Her life is brightened up when she meets Ernest…
a microbe! Together, they explore life and have lots of adventures.
Le Lombard is putting on an interactive exhibition, with Rebecca’s friend, Ernest, as
your guide, walking in the footsteps of microbes. Visitors aged between 7 and 77 will
be able to touch, move, manipulate and draw…
Spirou Festival
This year, the Comics Festival will be hosting the first ever Spirou Festival. The Spirou
Festival will be bringing together the authors and readers of Spirou Magazine, with
activities, signing sessions, talks, screenings and much more. Curious readers, kids,
parents, collectors, life-long fans, subscribers, hardcore supporters, professionals,
knowledgeable amateurs… there will be something for everyone here.
http://www.spirou.com/journal/festival.php
The Great War: the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Joe Sacco
Author of fascinating comic books and an iconic figure in the world of cartoonjournalism, the American Joe Sacco has created a cartoon in a unique format, 7
metres long, telling the story of the different stages of the Battle of the Somme in the
summer of 1916. With 20,000 soldiers killed and 40,000 injured, Joe Sacco takes an
emotive approach to the most tragic 24 hours in the history of the British army.
Joe Sacco’s impressive mural will also be available on a huge scale on the walls of the
conference room (as part of the Comics Festival).
MooF
After the “Astérix and the video game” exhibition, the Moof has decided to expand
its collaboration with Ludus Académie, the school dedicated to creating and
developing video games and serious games, and will present a world exclusive on the
occasion of the 2014 comic strip festival of its new concept of discovery of the 9th
Art.
The Moof, 3D museum of comics, had to include in its approach the vision of the 10th
art: The Video Game!
For this event, Ludus Academy and MOOF offer you a parallel history of comics and
game consoles through the last six generations of videogames showing the transition
of the storyboard heroes to the screen.
Paquet Publishing House: Charel Cambré Exhibition
The Paquet Publishing House offers an exhibition dedicated to CHAREL CAMBRÉ,
cartoonist of Amphoria (the modern version of the cult series " Spike and Suzy") and
author of exceptional talent, able to juggle between different styles (humorous,
adult, cartoons ... ). Charel Cambré is also well known in Flanders for his many other
series including "Jump" (release scheduled at Kramiek.com) and his cartoons
regularly appear in Sports / Voetbalmagazine.
Hergé Museum: Nat Neujean Exhibition
Based on the statue of Tintin and Snowy created in 1976 by Nat Neujean to celebrate
the 30th anniversary of the Tintin Magazine, the Hergé Museum is giving visitors the
chance to see some of the exhibits from “When Hergé met Nat Neujean”, presented
in Louvain-La-Neuve as part of its 5th anniversary.
This is the first time that all the pieces by Nat Neujean based on Hergé’s characters
have been brought together in the same exhibition, including original plaster casts
that have never been seen by members of the public, as well as all the original
bronzes. A photographic reportage of Hergé in the presence of these pieces will
accompany this unique exhibition.
Visitors will also be able to admire the Belgian sculptor’s personal pieces, including
around fifteen creations, such as portraits by Paul Delvaux, André Malraux, Henry
Moore, several female nudes including La Belle Toscane and L’Adolescente, pieces
focusing on youth such as La Fontaine and La Paix, as well as others dedicated to the
atrocities of war through the ages, like L’Évasion and La Séparation.
The idea behind the exhibition is to illustrate an artist who was able to stand out
from the artistic trends over the decades, and who was always keen to hold on to his
own style, commonly known as “figurative”.
More information: www.museeherge.com.
Entertaining activities
Plenty of fun and creative activities will delight comic book lovers from 7 to 77 years of age: a
Cosplay contest, improvised comic-strip shows, a children’s village ... there’ll be something
for everyone!
Kids Zone
The Kids Zone will be organising fun, creative activities for children: from the giant
colouring wall to the Manga transformation room, via mask making workshops, plus
bouncy castles for the younger visitors... There’ll be something for everyone!
Times: Saturday from 11am to 8pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm
Lieu: Parc de Bruxelles (Zone Nord)
Guided tours
An expert guide will take you through the streets of Brussels to discover the capital’s
unmissable cartoon sites, including comic book frescos, specialist shops, museums
and other iconic places.
Registration free of charge at the Comics Festival information desk
(languages: Fr - Engl – Ndl)
Mont de Piété
The Mont-de-Piété, a public pawnshop based in Brussels, will be moving for one
weekend to put on a special auction at the Comics Festival (selling comic books,
figurines, drawings and original plates). Members of the public will also be able to
have their own comics valued!
Times:
Friday from 10am to 8.3pm - viewing
Saturday: from 9am to 1pm - viewing
from 2pm to 3pm – public auction
Place: BIP (Brussels Info Place) - Place Royale, 11 Building - Salle Zinneke
“DESSINE MOI UNE IMPRO” (literally, “draw me an improvisation”) – a
performance by the Ligue d’Impro
This performance by the Ligue d’Impro is an invitation on a journey into the
imagination. A world in which spectators of any age can interact with the story that is
made up before their eyes.
Amusing and poetic, this performance combines the talent of the illustrator with that
of improvising comedians from the Ligue d’Impro. The pencils bring the sets and the
characters to life, so the actors become one with the drawing.
Amusing and poetic, this performance combines the talent of the illustrator with that
of improvising comedians from the Ligue d’Impro. The pencils bring the sets and the
characters to life, so the actors become one with the drawing.
“All grown-ups were once children. But only a few remember it” Antoine de SaintExupéry
Times :
Friday 5 September – from 7pm to 7.45pm
Saturday 6 September – from 2pm to 2.45pm (“KIDS” special)
Sunday 7 September – from 5pm to 5.45pm
Drawing Concert with Younn Locard and Eugenio Nittolo
Over the intoxicating chants of Turkish music played live, the young artists Younn
Locard (Dérives orientales) and Eugenio Nittolo (La Camaraderie) draw their vision of
Turkey, as they discovered and experienced it.
Time :
Saturday 6 september – 7pm to 8pm – Conferences Area
Guest of honour: Turkey
The Comic Strip Festival is turning the spotlight on Turkey! As part of the celebrations to mark 50
years of Turkish immigration to Belgium, the Comic Strip Festival put on a special program covering
the whole weekend: conferences, book-signing sessions, exhibitions, etc. Comic strips from Turkey
will be the guest of honour at the 2014 event!
Comics alla Turca – Turkey and Turks in Franco-Belgian comics
The Comics alla Turca exhibition looks at how Francophone cartoons portray Turkey and the
Turks, from the very first Oriental representations to the different political developments
throughout the 20th century.
In the early days, the approach was fairly superficial, focusing mainly on the differences. The
main source of the representations was travel by tourists and the picturesque images that
they brought back: The Bosphorus, the big mosques, the Grand Bazaar, the pashas, the veiled
ladies, the burley Turks decked out in fezzes and big moustaches… Then came the air of
exoticism, the pretext for a fantasy: maiden voyages, or dangerous ones into a strange new
world, that sometimes feels hostile – a mythical Orient.
Over time, the clichés disappear, and today new stories give us rather more complex, less
stereotypical images, fed into with understanding and affection.
However, each author has his or her own vision and personal research, as seen in “Corto
Maltese” by Hugo Pratt, “Largo Winch” by Van Hamme and Francq, “Djinn” by Dufaux and
Mirallès, “Dérive orientale” by YounnLocard or “Ticket 2 Way” by young Eugenio Nittolo.
“Comics alla Turca” is an exhibition that is part of the international Turkish comic book
festival, Istanbulles. It is organised by Jean-Marie Derscheid, BerrakHadimli and Didier
Pasamonik. It will be open throughout the weekend as part of the Comics Festival.
Website: http://www.istanbulles.com/
Talks (see “conferences”):
“Regards sur les Turcs dans la bande dessinée franco-belge”, a talk by Alain
Servantié
“Introduction to Turkish cartoons”, a talk by Didier Pasamonik
“Belgian-Turkish and Turkish-Belgian journays”, a round table discussion led
by GurcanGursel and Walter Goossens
Animations (see “conferences”)
Drawing Concert with Younn Locard and Eugenio Nittolo
Presentation and demonstration of the word of caricaturist Ismaël Dogan
Demonstration of the pressing of a comic book plate by Eugenio Nittolo
LATE-NIGHT OPENINGS
On Friday and Saturday evening, the Parc de Bruxelles will be a riot of colour to celebrate the comic
strip thanks to a brand new Comic Strip Nights concept! Along the walkways and in the middle of the
fountains, several sound-and-light shows will enchant young and old alike.
Open air Cinema: a screening projection of comics films and short comics films on a giant
screen in the heart of the amazing Parc de Bruxelles.
Water Show: the fountain of the Parc de Bruxelles will dress in a thousand colors during an
impressive sound and light show dedicated to comics.
Drawing concert: the kiosk of the Parc de Bruxelles will become the stage and screen of a
delirious drawing concert.
Timetable : friday 5 and saturday 6 from 8.30pm to 11pm – repeatedly
Comics Festival & Late-night openings practical details:
Dates:
Comics Festival: Friday 5 to Sunday 7 September
Late-night openings: Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September
Schedule:
Friday: from 15.30 to 22.00 (Comics Night until 23.00 in the Parc de Bruxelles)
Saturday: from 10.00 to 22.00 (Comics Night until 23.00 in the Parc de Bruxelles)
Sunday: from 10.00 to 18.00
Location: Brussels Parc – 1000 Brussels
Price: Free
With the kind collaboration of the Green Spaces in Brussels.
PARADES
Balloon’s Day Parade
For an hour and a half on Saturday 6 September, a fantastic parade of giant balloons in the
shape of cartoon characters will be crossing the whole of the capital to turn it upside down.
Once again this year, a brand new balloon in the shape of a famous cartoon character will
join the parade!
The impressive sight of the blowing up of the balloons will begin at about 10am on the Place
des Palais where more than 1,000 m3 of helium will be required to breathe life into these airfilled giants. From 3.30pm onwards, Boule, Spirou, Tintin, Le Chat and their new friends will
make their way through the city centre, ending their journey at De Brouckère at around
5.30pm, where they will be deflated.
The Harmonie des Corps de Police Bruxellois will be opening the parade with a series of
balloons in the shape of Brussels icons such as the Atomium and our famous Manneken-Pis.
Folk groups from all over Belgium will be joining in this colourful parade!
Balloon’s Day Parade practical info:
Date: Saturday 6 September
Schedule:
Blowing up of the balloons: from 9.00
Parade sets of: 15.30
Arrival and end: 16.30 – 17.00
Location: Departure & arrival Place des Palais/Paleizenplein – 1000 Brussels
Route: Place des Palais/ Paleizenplein  Rue Ducale/ Hertogstraat  Rue de la Loi/
Wetstraat  Rue des Capucins/ Kapucijnenstraat Cantersteen Place de
l’Albertine/ Albertinaplein Boulvard de l’Empereur/ Keizerlaan  Rue des
Alexiens/ Cellebroersstraat  Boulevard Anspach/ Anspachlaan  Place de
Brouckère/ De Brouckèreplein.
Price: Free
Tintin Magazine Rally
More than 60 cars and motorbikes depicted in comic strip illustration plates will come to life
on Sunday at the Comic Strip Festival! This extraordinary rally will drive around the streets of
Brussels before being appraised, on reaching Place des Palais, by a special panel of judges.
The cars can then be admired on Place des Palais for the rest of the day.
Tintin Magazine Rally practical details:
Date: Sunday 7 September
Schedule:
8:30 to 9:30: vehicles gather at the D’Ieteren Gallery (50, rue du Mail - 1050
Brussels)
9:30: Rally departs from the D’Ieteren Gallery
12:00: lunch stop at the Hergé Museum (rue du labrador, 26 – 1348 LouvainLa-Neuve)
2:30: vehicles arrives to the Place des Palais and judged by the jury
3:00: prize-giving
2:30 to 6:00: vehicle exhibition at the Place des Palais
Location:
Departure: D’Ieteren Gallery - rue du Mail, 50 – 1050 Brussels
Note: the parking is on the first floor.
Arrival and exhibition of the vehicles: Place des Palais/Paleizenplein – 1000
Brussels
Price: Free
MAJOR EXHIBITION: TARDI AND THE GREAT WAR
The Palais des Beaux-Arts will be home to the touring exhibition about Jacques Tardi, starting on the
first day of the Comics Festival. Tardi is one of the most famous and highly respected Francophone
comic book authors, and for the last 40 years, with “Goddamn this war!”, “Antiwar Songs” and “It
was the war of the trenches”, Jacques Tardi has focused his work on the First World War. Although
his tales are fictional, his dedication to truthfulness is a key to his work and offers a human
perspective of the conflict, which makes it stand out from a more traditional “heroic” version.
Inspired by the artist himself, who chose to tackle the Great War year by year in “Goddamn this
war!”, the exhibition takes a chronological view of the years between 1914 and 1919. This narrative
choice, accessible to different types of visitor, helps to bring the progress of the conflict to life and
bring clarity to some of the major sequences. The presentation of the exhibition is based on the idea
of stirring emotion in the visitors, by combining strong, symbolic images, shown to advantage by
special lighting effects and atmospheric sounds. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to discover
all of the plates of the two volumes of “Goddamn this war!”,, as well as some of the stages of Jacques
Tardi’s work.
Following on from the first presentation of the retrospective at the 2014 Angoulême International
Comics Festival, the exhibition will be in Brussels for more than two months. The opening of the
exhibition will coincide with the weekend of the Comics Festival. Entry will be free for everyone for
the occasion.
Exhibition Tardi and the Great War practical details:
Date: From 5 September to 23 November 2014.
Location: BOZAR – Salles BN
Price:
During the Comics Festival: Free
Afterwards:
Full price
4,00 €
Discount rate
2,00 €*
*BOZARfriends, +67, 18-25, 12-18 (educational rate), teachers, job seekers,
general handicap
Discount rate
0,00 €*
*-6, 6-12, specific handicap (blind, wheelchairs) escort specific
handicap, BOZAR PATRONS, BOZAR PATRONS Corporate
Discount rate
1,25 €*
*ARTICLE27
LAUNCH PARTY
On Thursday 4 September, the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) will host the launch party for the Comics
Festival! This launch party, which will be attended by professionals from the world of Comics in
Brussels, Ministers from Brussels and cultural journalists, will also include the opening of the main
exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts.
The Comic Book Festival gatecrashes the AG Insurance Memorial Van
Damme
The ambitious Brussels Capital Region supports events which are every bit as daring it is. On 5th
September, it will play host to two important international events. On the one hand, the AG
Insurance Memorial Van Damme, the final of the IAAF Diamond League which brings together the
world’s finest athletes each year. On the other, from 5th to 7th September the Comic Strip Festival
organised by visit.brussels will be inviting top writers to make the 9th art accessible to the widest
possible audience in the heart of the capital in the famous Brussels Park.
Like every year, the 38th edition of the AG Insurance Memorial Van Damme will take place at the
King Baudouin Stadium where 50,000 spectators will reverberate to the sound of the starting gun.
Athletes from various disciplines will be competing for first place on the podium in front of a very
enthusiastic crowd.
The Comic Strip Festival, which begins on the same day as the Memorial and finishes two days later,
on Sunday 7th September, sees the 9th art on full display and again offers a programme which will
delight young and old alike. The Balloon’s Day Parade, the Comic Strip Festival, the Tintin Journal
Rally, autograph sessions, exhibitions, a night-time show in the Brussels Park and guided visits will all
take place throughout the weekend.
On 5th September, these two events will come together to celebrate diversity, excellence and as
ambassadors for a region where talent is revealed, shared and lived! Spectators will not only be
welcomed into the legendary King Baudouin Stadium by the huge Tintin and Spirou balloons, the
emblematic characters of the Smurfs, Spirou, Spike and Suzy will accompany the athletes for a lap of
the track to officially mark the opening of the final of the IAAF Diamond League.
The 5th September is also the occasion for the Brussels Capital Region, visit.brussels and the AG
Insurance Memorial Van Damme to invite along other talents! Young people from all four corners of
Belgium will take part in the final of a 4x100m relay in the legendary King Baudouin Stadium prior to
the main event. This final is the culmination of a selection procedure organised by the school
sporting associations of the country’s various linguistic communities. A genuine opportunity for the
youngsters to not only experience the grandeur and magic of the sport but also discover Brussels
through its two leading attractions, the Atomium and Mini-Europe.
For more information, please visit: www.diamondleague-brussels.com
Contact presse :
Diamond League: Zahra Ouberri - +32 (0)2 474 72 30 - info@memorialvandamme.be
Watch the presentation video.
NEW COMIC STRIP WALL: SPIROU
As part of the comic book route of the City of Brussels, a comic book mural has been realized around
the character of Spirou. The wall is a tribute to the generations of authors that have given shape to
Spirou. Cartoonist Yoann pays tribute to Franquin most notably, who observes in the background
how Spirou runs over the Place du Jeu de Balle. The comic book mural will be officially inaugurated as
part of the Spirou Festival. After the inauguration, you will be offered a drink in the presence of the
Mayor, the Aldermen and cartoonist Yoann.
Inauguration Spirou strip wall
Date: Friday 5 September
Schedule: 11:00
Location: Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Gratiestraat/Rue Notre-Dame de Grâces 3, 1000 Brussels
AND MORE…
Brussels is the comic strip capital of the world and never stops proving it. The possibilities are
endless: visiting the museums and exhibitions; strolling around the many specialist galleries and
bookshops; heading off to discover the 47 comic strip murals located all over Brussels; and even
eating and sleeping comics … there's plenty to do for lovers of the 9th art! To mark the occasion of
the Comic Strip Festival, numerous comic strip venues will be holding specific activities all weekend:
book-signing sessions, exhibitions, auctions of comic strip objects, and lots more.
Brüsel
The Brüsel Anspach bookshop and gallery is putting on an exhibition on the album “La
Mondaine” by Jordi and Zidrou, the second volume of which is due out on 29 August. Original
plates from “La Mondaine” and sketches that have never been seen before will be on display
until 18 September. The preview will take place on Friday 5 September, from 7.30pm. Jordi
will also be available for a signing session on the same day from 4pm until 7pm.
Location:
Brüsel Anspach: Boulevard Anspach/Anspachlaan, 100 – 1000 Brussels
Tintin Boutique and bookshop at the Hergé Museum
Philippe Godin will be available for signings at the Boutique Tintin on Saturday 6 September
from 10am until 12pm, and in the bookshop at the Hergé Museum from 3pm until 5pm.
Location:
Tintin Boutique: Rue de la Colline/Heuvelstraat 13 – 1000 Brussels
Bookshop Hergé Musée: Rue du Labrador, 26 - 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
COMIC STRIPS IN BRUSSELS, ALL YEAR AROUND!
www.visitbrussels.be/comics
In each city district, as you wend your way along the streets and alleyways of Brussels, comic strips
are everywhere. They are a source of national pride, and that can be felt particularly strongly in our
capital city. Because so many authors from Brussels have contributed to the rapid growth in
popularity of the 9th art. You'll find out all about it when you visit the Belgian Comic Strip Center,
entirely dedicated to comic strips, when you take a stroll around the ”comic strip village“ or when
you come across monumental figurines that have come straight out of several albums by Belgian
authors.
Cartoons are an art in their own right and the people of Brussels are particularly fond of them.
visit.brussels: sized for comics
visit.brussels: sized for Tintin
visit.brussels: sized for Nero
These three mini-maps each offer you a surprising themed journey through Brussels, one
following in the footsteps of Tintin, another to discover comic strip murals in Brussels and the
last relating to Néron. Three unusual routes that are well worth investigating. These minimaps are available at a price of €0.50 and in several languages at all reception desks. You can
also find them on our website.
Comics for Kids - Discovering comic murals in Brussels
visit.brussels is offering children the opportunity to discover a number of comic strip murals
located throughout the region whilst enjoying the company of the Smurfs. They will come
across such characters as Tintin, Ric Hochet, Stam & Pilou, Billy the Cat, Bob and Bobette…
The heroes of paper and the authors, mostly from Brussels, that they will get to know better
through a number of games.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Where?
Comics Festival: Parc de Bruxelles/Warandepark - 1000 Brussels
Comics Night: Parc de Bruxelles/Warandepark - 1000 Brussels
Balloon’s Day Parade and Tintin Journal Rally: departure & arrival on the Place des
Palais/Paleizenplein – 1000 Brussels
When?
Date: 5-7 September
Schedule:
Friday: from 15:30 to 22:00 (Comics Night until 23.00 in the Parc de Bruxelles)
Saturday: from 10:00 to 22:00 (Comics Night until 23.00 in the Parc de Bruxelles)
Sunday: from 10:00 to 18:00
Public transport:
Bus: 27, 38, 71, 95 (stop ROYALE)
Tram: 92,93 (stop PALAIS)
Metro: line 1 and 5 (stop PARC)
Check the website for more information and the updated programme: www.ComicsFestival.be
PRESS INFORMATION
Press conference
A press point will be organised before the opening drinks reception for the Comics Festival on
Thursday 4 September at the Centre of Fine Arts (BOZAR).
We are also offering you the opportunity to discover the visit.brussels press release sized for
comics:
http://visitbrussels.be/bitc/BE_en/es_brochure/868/thematic-kit-sized-forcomics.do
Online picture library*
http://visitbrussels.be/bitc/BE_en/meeting/picture-library.do
Login: press@visitbrussels.be
Password: press
Search for: ‘comic’
*to comply with copyright, please do not crop the images of comic strip murals
Official Comics Strip Festival hashtag: #comicfestival and #Bcomics
Press contacts
Alderman Philippe Close's Office: Lidia Gervasi: +32 483 591 831
philippe.close@brucity.be
BOZAR: Leen Daems: +32 479 98 66 07 - leen.daems@bozar.be
visit.brussels: Martha Meeze: +32 486 53 31 81 - m.meeze@visitbrussels.be
–