After two years of modified editions due to the health situation, the Comic Strip Festival is finally back in its original form, from 9 to 11 September.
This year, to mark its return, it’s changing its name to the BD Comic Strip Festival. And that’s not all, the festival is also moving to the sublime Gare Maritime and sheds of Tour & Taxis and welcoming a special guest, the famous Marsupilami.
From 9 to 11 September, the ninth art will take centre stage in Brussels with the BD Comic Strip Festival. A new name for the festival, which returns in its original form after two iterations that were adapted to deal with the health situation.
It will be the great return of animations, signing sessions, conferences and the giant balloon parade, to the delight of comic strip lovers and fans of the genre.
The guest of honour: Marsupilami This year, Marsupilami, the famous imaginary animal created in 1952 by André Franquin, is celebrating its 70th anniversary at the BD Comic Strip Festival. It’s the star of the festival’s magnificent poster, masterfully designed by Belgian artist Renaud Collin.
Exhibitions, balloon, animations, signing sessions, the friendly animal will be bouncing all over the festival during this colourful long weekend.
Exhibitions, signing sessions and animations Several exceptional exhibitions will also be held in the sheds of Tour & Taxis and at the Belgian Comic Strip Center. One of them will be dedicated to the famous robot Grendizer and another to manga hero Naruto. Publishing houses will also be back with exclusive signing sessions and animations for all.
The public can admire the giant comic strip character balloons that will be scattered around the festival site.
Last but not least, the international pavilion will be back to delight fans of new discoveries. The winners of the 2022 Atomium Prizes unveiled on 9 September Comic book creation has become increasingly fragile in recent years.
It’s often difficult for comics professionals to make a decent living from their work. Over five years ago, Brussels authorities created the Atomium Prizes to support creation and authors. The vast majority of these are awarded in cash to enable the winners to finance their work. This year, 9 prizes will be awarded as part of the BD Comic Strip Festival for a total of €100,000.
