The 10th edition of the Comic Strip Festival yesterday has ended on a high note. More than 100,000 people attended the festival. Yet another confirmation of Brussels’ key role on the international stage of the ninth art. Next year, the event will be held at a different location.
The Comic Strip Festival brought together more than 100 exhibition stands, about 300 authors and artists, and more than 700 autograph signings. Many activities awaited visitors in the marquees installed in Brussels Park and the BOZAR rooms. The most inquisitive visitors set out to discover new horizons thanks to the dozens of foreign cultural representations that attended the International Pavilion.
A new feature this year was the school day that brought together many pupils on the Friday morning. A colourful programme had been prepared for them. From an introduction to scenarios to a workshop against racism with Lilian Thuram, including the discovery of the history of the Second World War in the company of the author of “Children of the Resistance”, many original activities were offered to them.
The result of the collaboration between Editions du Lombard and visit.brussels, the “Children of the Resistance” exhibition was a huge hit. It quite literally immersed visitors into the world of comic strips and taught them about the context of the time and the challenges faced by the Resistance movement in an entertaining manner.
The public was also able to learn more about the legendary pair Blake and Mortimer during a special conference in the company of the series’ various contributors. A unique opportunity to mention the work of Edgar P. Jacobs and the influence it still has today on his peers.
On Sunday, visitors were dazzled by the Balloon’s Day Parade and its 15 giant balloons. It made its way around the streets of the capital for about two hours. The new Toto balloon joined the procession before the eyes of an enthralled public.
Finally, the ninth art literally took over the capital and immersed visitors in the most beautiful comic strip boards. Guided tours allowed enthusiasts to discover comic strip frescoes and other sites scattered around the capital. From the Belgian Comic Strip Center to the Autrique House, including Muntpunt, several key sites in Brussels also took part in the event offering original exhibitions to fans.
visit.brussels, the event’s organiser, also announced that the event would be moving in 2020 to the brand-new site of the Gare Maritime of Tour & Taxis. The aim of the Region is double: on the one hand to alleviate pressure on the city centre and better distribute the events offering around the entire Brussels region, and on the other hand, to make the most of a neighbourhood undergoing great change along the canal, a short walk from another strategic regional project: KANAL – Centre Pompidou.
The Brussels Tourist Office will set up two of its main events in this new Brussels gem: the Comic Strip Festival and the gastronomic festival eat! BRUSSELS drink! BORDEAUX, which welcomes more than 200,000 visitors a year.
The next edition of the Comic Strip Festival that will be full of surprises will take place from 11 to 13 September 2020 at the Gare Maritime on the Tour & Taxis site.
More information about the Comic Strip Festival on www.comicsfestival.brussels.
Photo credit: visit.brussels – Jean-Paul Remy
