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  • BD Comic Strip Festival

    Houba! Houba! The Comic Strip Festival is back in its original form from 9 to 11 September

    There have been some slight changes though, and the Festival is now called... drum roll... the BD Comic Strip Festival and it is taking place at the Gare Maritime and in the Sheds at Tour & Taxis. But the paper heroes remain the same! You will find your favourite characters and authors in the exhibitions, workshops, encounters, screenings, book signing sessions and many other events for all ages. Not to mention the International Pavilion and the unmissable Atomium Prizes. 

    © Batem - Dupuis

    This event will mark the 70th anniversary of Franquin's Marsupilami

    The BD Comic Strip Festival poster, designed by Renaud Collin, is dedicated to Marsupilami, as is a giant balloon.

    All activities
    © 2017 Go Nagai / Dynamic

    The BD Comic Strip Festival has many great surprises in store for you!

    Several extraordinary exhibitions will be held at Tour & Taxis and the Comics Art Museum.

    All exhibitions

    Find your favourite characters and authors in the many free activities for all ages

    The details of the workshops, encounters, book signing sessions, guided visits and other events will be announced soon.

    The BD COMIC STRIP Festival presents exceptional exhibitions

    The BD Comic Strip Festival offers you a selection of almost one hundred colourful exhibitors

    Major publishers, independent publishers, second-hand shops, galleries dedicated to the ninth art, entertainment areas, cultural performances at the International Pavilion, etc. The Gare Maritime and the Sheds of Tour & Taxis have a wealth of delights in store for you.

    More information coming soon.

    GM01  LE LOMBARD

    GM02  DARGAUD

    GM03  EXPO : Yasmina et la ville comestible / Yasmina en de eetbare stad / Yasmina and the edible city

    GM04  STANDAARD UITGEVERIJ

    GM05  CASTERMAN

    GM07 GLÉNAT

    GM08  EXPO : Sakamoto Days

    GM09  KANA

    GM10  KONOHA EXPRESS

    GM11  « FORUM »

    GM12   EXPO : La fabrication d’une bande dessinée avec Astrid Bromure / Het maken van een stripverhaal met Astrid IJskoud  / Creating a comic book with Astrid Bromure

    GM12  RUE DE SÈVRES & ÉCOLE DES LOISIRS

    GM13  EXPO : Le Château des étoiles / Het kasteel van de sterren

    GM14  EXPO : RENÉE

    GM15  DUPUIS

    GM16  EXPO : Spirou par Émile Bravo, une enfance sous l’Occupation / Robbedoes van Emile Bravo. Een jeugd onder de bezetting. / Spirou by Emile Bravo. A childhood under the Occupation.

    SH01  INUKSHUK ÉDITIONS

    SH02  JIHEM EDITIONS

    SH03  64_PAGE

    SH04  AAZIMUTH

    SH05  MON OEIL !

    SH06  FTW PRODUCTIONS

    SH07  LES PASSIONS DE PASCALE

    SH08  ALZABANE ÉDITIONS

    SH09  GALLIA VETUS

    SH10  ANTOINE DEMANT

     

    SH11   KAMITI

    SH12  BD MUST

    SH13  CRIABD ASBL

    SH14  ÉDITIONS DU JEUDI

    SH15  FORBIDDEN ZONE

    SH16  LIVR’S ÉDITIONS

    SH17  ÉDITIONS DU TIROIR

    SH18  AKILON.BE

    SH19  COLLAUCTIONS

    SH20 GEEK GEEK & GEEK

    SH21  ALLO CASE BD

    SH22  MONDES IMAGINAIRES SARL

    SH23  PIOLA LIBRI

    SH24  CUBITUS BD

    SH25  L’ÂGE D’OR

    SH26  DENISTOYS & BD

    SH27  LITTLE NEMO

    SH28  HUMAN CHILDREN COMICS

    SH29  LE BD PATHE

    SH30  ÉDITIONS HIBOU

    SH31  BDs COLLECTION & OCCASIONS D’EN FAIRE

    SH32  FÉDÉRATION WALLONIE-BRUXELLES / WALLONIË-BRUSSEL-FEDERATIE / WALLONIA-BRUSSELS-FEDERATION

    SH33  ART-MANIAK

    SH34  GALERIE DES BULLES

    SH35  ACADÉMIE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE TOURNAI - OPTION BANDE DESSINÉE / ACADEMIE VOOR SCHONE KUNSTEN VAN DOORNIK - BD

    SH36  ACADÉMIES DE WATERMAEL BOITSFORT ET CHÂTELET – ACADEMIES VAN WATERMAEL-BOSVOORDE EN CHÂTELET

    SH37  CORÉE DU SUD / ZUID-KOREA / SOUTH KOREA (KOREAN CULTURAL CENTRE)

     

     

     

    SH38  BRÉSIL / BRAZILIË / BRAZIL

    SH39  KRONIKAS (MAISON AUTRIQUE)SH40  ESPAGNE / SPANJE / SPAIN (INSTITUT CERVANTES)

    SH41  CANADA

    SH42  POLOGNE / POLEN / POLAND

    SH43  FANWARS 501st GARRISON

    SH44  VIA BRUXELLENSIS

    SH45  ZONE ATELIERS & CONFÉRENCES / WORKSHOPS EN CONFERENTIES / WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES

    SH46  BOURS’O’POP

    SH47  STACHMOULE / MARDI SOIR  / TANIBIS / MEME PAS MAL / DU NOIR SOUS LES ONGLES

    SH48  L’EMPLOYÉ DU MOI / L’ASSOCIATION / FREMOK / BRIES / VIDE COCAGNE /  ABDIL / L’APPÂT / BRUMEVILLE / ÉDITIONS DÉSESPOIRE

    SH49  LA CAFETIÈRE / MISMA / BANG / THE HOOCHIE COOCHIE / RASOIR / EN3000 / ANIMAL PRESS / LES ATELIERS DU TONER / JUST DIE FOR IT / BORDS PERDUS

    SH50 2024 EDITIONS / HUBER / CFC - éditions / CONTRÔLE TURBO / Éditions POIL DANS LA MAIN / BLOW BOOK / VITE / KOVEN

    SH51  EXPO : Le Temps d’un Poème (CANADA)

    SH52  EXPO : COMIC 24 – 24 ans de BD espagnole / 24 jaar Spaanse strip / 24 years of Spanish comic books

    SH53  EXPO : la bande dessinée polonaise / de Poolse strip / Polish comic strips

    SH54  EXPO : la bande dessinée Ukrainienne / de Oekraïense strip / Ukrainian comic strips

    SH55  EXPO : GOLDORAK

    SH56  EXPO : Chez Marylène, la frite est belle

    SH57 STEFANIX

    De kaart downloaden

    Composition of the 2022 Atomium Comic Strip Prizes

    visit.brussels, in close collaboration with its partners, wants to show its support for comic strip creation and bring together existing initiatives by awarding the Atomium Comic Strip Prizes, most of which are awarded in cash to enable the winners to finance their work. More than €95,000 in total will be distributed between the nine prizes.

    The winners of the Atomium Prizes will be revealed on 9 September during a ceremony in the company of authors and big names from the publishing world.

    Find all the winning albums of the Atomium Prizes 2022 in our partner bookshops!

    Raymond Leblanc Prize for Young Artists

    Winners:  Cyril Legrais & Alice V.D.M - Les oies cendrées 

    Subject: The Raymond Leblanc Prize was launched 13 years ago by the Raymond Leblanc non-profit association, whose goal is to publicise, collect and preserve all the cultural heritage created by Raymond Leblanc, founder of the "Tintin magazine", Éditions du Lombard, the advertising agency Publiart and the animation studios Belvision, among other things. Its goal is to reward the work of a young author that has not published more than two comic books. 

    The jury’s opinion: "A delicate subject treated with sensitivity and tenderness... A love story between two men with a significant age difference is not commonplace in usual comic strip representations. The simple fact of featuring an older "hero" is not common. The strength of this project lies not only in the fact that it shatters taboos (sexuality of senior citizens, homosexuality, etc.) but also in the fact that it creates a beautiful story, enhanced by elegant cutting, which will soften the hardest hearts."

    Prize: €10,000 in cash, a €10,000 advance and a publishing contract alternating between Editions du Lombard, Editions Futuropolis and Editions Casterman (Lombard in 2021). The winner will be published by Editions Futuropolis. 

    Partners: Association Raymond Leblanc, Editions du Lombard, Editions Futuropolis and Editions Casterman

    More information: www.raymondleblanc.be  

    Wallonia-Brussels Federation Comic Strip Prize

    Winner: Emilie Plateau - L’épopée infernale – MISMA publications

    Subject: The Wallonia-Brussels Federation Comic Strip Prize was launched in 2017. This prize is intended to reward the work of one or more authors from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation who have produced an original and innovative work. The goal of this prize is to reward the work of a comic strip author or even a collective of authors, who has produced something original, ambitious and innovative in the field of comic strips in Wallonia and in Brussels.

    The jury’s opinion*: "L'épopée infernale" (éd. Misma, 2022) is a multiple choice book. Emilie Plateau uses the codes of "books in which you are the hero/heroine". It humorously and sensitively shows the trials and tribulations of her avatar, the author Emily D. Platew, as she finds her place in the comic book world. Emilie Plateau shows a constant willingness in her creative approach and in the graphic and narrative approach to complex subjects: gender identity, place of women in art and culture, recognition of graphic authors, treatment of minorities, etc. She was primarily noticed for "Noire, la vie méconnue de Claudette Colvin", an adaptation of a text by Tania de Montaigne (2019). Emilie Plateau also devotes a great deal of energy to collective fanzine and micro-publishing projects.
    *The 2022 jury was made up of the members of the Comic Strip Session of the Writing and Books Commission of Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

    Prize: €10,000 in cash.

    Partners: Ms Bénédicte Linard, Minister of Culture of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

    More information: www.bandedessinee.cfwb.be    

    Brussels Atomium Prize

    Winner: Denis Lapière, Daniel Couvreur & Christian Durieux - Le Faux Soir – éditions FUTUROPOLIS

    Subject: The Brussels Atomium Prize is awarded to an author who has put Brussels in the spotlight in his/her work.

    The jury’s opinion: In Le Faux Soir, Daniel Couvreur, head of the culture department of the newspaper Le Soir, conducts an investigation into the incredible history of this high point of the Belgian resistance. The journalist is accompanied in this story by the scriptwriter Denis Lapière, the cartoonist Christian Durieux and the editor Sébastien Gnaedig. The story alternates between the current investigation and recontextualised historical episodes. The jury was particularly impressed by the success of this before and after in Brussels. This comic book will remind all generations of the daring resistance operation carried out by the press department of the Independence Front. With the help of accomplices in the 'stolen Soir', the resistance secretly printed and distributed a fake version of Le Soir in Brussels newsstands on 9 November 1943. The Faux Soir openly mocked the Nazi occupiers through articles filled with the mocking spirit of the Brussels zwanze. Let us remember that the authors will pay for this act of non-violent resistance with their lives or their freedom.

    Prize: €7,500 in cash. 

    Partners:  Mr Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region.

    More information: https://fetedelabd.brussels/prix-atomium  

    La PREM1ÈRE Graphic Novel Prize

    Winner: JeanLouis Tripp - Le petit frère – éditions CASTERMAN

    Subject: RTBF (Belgian Radio-Television of the French Community) launched this new prize in 2017, to reward a genre that resonates with listeners of La Première.

    The jury’s opinion: The jury of the Première Graphic Novel Prize 2022 wanted to reward a work that, in sharing the most intimate part of a person, manages to touch on the universal. The mourning that JeanLouis Tripp recounts, the loss of his little brother, deeply moved our six jurors. One confided that he had to step away for a while before continuing his reading, another said he was overwhelmed, while yet another highlighted the silences that run through this work. JeanLouis Tripp tells the story of himself and his loved ones with sensitivity and precision, without pathos but also without concessions, and this is how he communed with everyone who read him - he spoke to them about their own story as well, a story of living with death. A story of presence despite absence.

    Prize: €20,000 in advertising space, as well as considerable editorial presence on the media channels of La Première.

    Partner: La Première - RTBF (Belgian Radio-Television of the French Community) 

    Prix Cognito for historic comic strips

    Winner: Denis Lapière, Daniel Couvreur & Christian Durieux - Le Faux Soir – éditions FUTUROPOLIS

    Subject: The Cognito Historical Comic Strip Prize is awarded by the Cognito Foundation to the best historical comic strip. This private foundation aims to help people discover or rediscover history through comic strips.

    The jury’s opinion: The jury unanimously awarded the Cognito Prize to the book Le Faux Soir by Denis Lapière, Daniel Couvreur and Christian Durieux. The album vividly recounts how in 1943, a small group of Belgian resistance fighters wrote and distributed 50,000 copies of a satirical version of the newspaper Le Soir (which had been confiscated by the Nazis and used for German propaganda). This incredible adventure had an impact not only in Belgium but throughout Europe. At a time when we are invaded by lies and misinformation, we thought it would be salutary to remind ourselves how effective humour can be against all forms of political and intellectual dictatorship.

    Prize: €3,000 in cash 

    Partner: Cognito Foundation

    More information: www.cognito-fondation.be  

    Le Soir Prize for New Report Comic Strips

    Winner: Can Dündar & Anwar - Erdogan le nouveau sultan – éditions DELCOURT

    Subject: The Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir has always been the reference newspaper in terms of comic strips. With this prize, it recognises the book that has stood out in examining the world around us in the form of a news report comic strip.  

    The jury’s opinion: Who is behind President Erdogan? In a perfectly documented graphic novel, Turkish journalist Can Dündar and Egyptian cartoonist Jbr Anwar recount how this pious little boy, who dreamed of being a football star, became a political animal feared and idolised by an entire people. Since childhood, Erdogan has always had faith in his grip and in his destiny. In his mind, democracy was never a goal but a means to power. He removed the opponents to his ascent one by one, by force or by cunning, until he became the new sultan of the Republic of Turkey. Dündar and Anwar shed light on the meteoric career of this figure who is now a fixture on the international political scene. 

    Prize: €20,000 in advertising space, as well as considerable editorial presence on the media channels of the newspaper Le Soir.  

    Partner: Le Soir

    The Atomium Spirou Young Authors Prize

    Winner: "Bravo Zulu" - Jean-Christophe Targa

    Subject: The Atomium Spirou Young Authors Prize recognises short comic book stories (maximum of four boards) featuring Spirou and Fantasio. Prize for under 18s who have published a maximum of three comic books

    Jury's opinion: "Each year, the Atomium Spirou Prize rewards a short story of a maximum of four pages. This is an important format for a journal like ours, which as well as providing one-page gags and long stories, must offer short stories each week that allow a different and more compact type of reading. As we choose to immerse ourselves in a short story, rather than in a novel. In 2022, the editors were won over by the freshness of the story "Bravo Zulu" by Jean-Christophe Targa, who gives pride of place to the imagination of children during the holidays and sprinkled his story with incredible inventions that a certain Count of Champignac would certainly not renounce. Lastly, we particularly liked the flowing lines worthy of the Spirou spirit chosen to relate this summer fantasy." As every year, we hope that this prize and this first short story will encourage others...

    Prize: story published by Spirou magazine, and all publications will be paid at the professional rate.

    Partner: Journal Spirou

    Bronzen Adhemar Prize

    Winner: Judith Vanistendael (for her entire body of work)

    Subject: Since 1977, this biennial award has been the most important distinction in the comic strip field in Flanders. It rewards a Flemish author for one or more works.

    Jury's opinion: By a majority vote, the jury decided to award the Bronzen Adhemar Prize to Judith Vanistendael for her impressive body of work, her strong personality, her creativity, her immense talent as a cartoonist and the influential role she plays with the younger generation of comic book artists. It is therefore only natural that she should be awarded the most important comic book prize in Flanders in 2022. Vanistendael consistently delivers good comics with social relevance, each time in a different style that still bears her stamp. Not only is her work remarkable, but her influence on the younger generation of comic creators has not escaped the jury's notice. The Bronzen Adhemar 2022 jury consisted of Charel Cambré (Bronzen Adhemar 2020 winner), Ronald Grossey (Uitgeverij Vrijdag), Isabelle Debekker (Director of the Belgian Comic Strip Center), Peter Leysen (Cutting Edge comic strip critic), Michael Cornelissen (public relations coordinator at Turnhout Library) and Shamisa Debroey (illustrator, comic strip author and programmer at De Singel).

    Prize: €10,000 and an exhibition in Turnhout.

    Partner: Strip Turnhout/Stripgids.

     

    The Atomium Citizen's Comic Strip Prize

    Winner: Nicolas Wild - À la maison des femmes – éditions DELCOURT/ENCRAGES

    Subject: The Atomium Citizens' Comic Strip Prize recognises a comic book that prompts ethical and social reflection, and that addresses contemporary social issues in a positive, constructive and noble-minded way; the subject of which has a local scope/resonance (local, Belgian, European).

    Jury's opinion: "Violence against women is at the heart of this fantastic and moving spotlight on an institution located just outside Paris, La Maison des Femmes.  A work created with humility and without otherworldliness by an author who truly loves her subject, À LA MAISON DES FEMMES bears witness to the day-to-day commitment of true modern heroines. The comic book gives voice to a multitude of stakeholders and addresses an impressive array of different and complex issues, but never without hope and constructive solutions. Each situation is described by Nicolas Wild on a human level, without great flights of fancy or obscure language. Just with infinite sincerity."

    Prize: €5,000 in cash

    Partner: André Querton

    With the kind permission of the asbl Atomium.

    Opening Times

    Friday 9 September

    from 12 to 6pm

    Saturday 10 September

    from 10am to 6pm

    Sunday 11 September

    from 10am to 6pm

    The BD Comic Strip Festival is a FREE event.

    What?

    • Exhibitions
    • Book signings
    • Events
    • Conferences
    • Giant balloons
    • International Pavilion
    • BD and Para BD sales...

    Where?

    Tour & Taxis (Gare Maritime & Shed 1 – 1bis)
    86C, Avenue du Port, B-1000 Brussels

    The Comics Art Museum 
    (For the “The Houba Show” and “Naruto, the ninja phenomenon” exhibitions)
    20 Rue des Sables, 1000 Brussels

    To get to the Comics Art Museum from Tour & Taxis, we advise that you take Metro 2 or 6 from Ribaucourt to Rogier. (Tour & Taxis is a 10-minute walk from the Ribaucourt stop and the museum is an 8-minute walk from the Rogier stop).

     

    Access and mobility

    • Access public transport: 
      Via 11 rue Picard, 1000 Brussels (direct access direct to the Gare Maritime): Bus 14 – PICARD stop

      Via 86C avenue du Port, 1000 Brussels: Bus 14, 20 and 86 – AVENUE DU PORT/HAVENLAAN stop

      Via avenue du Port, 1000 Brussels: Bus 88 – Tour & Taxis stop

      PRM Access via 86C avenue du Port, 1000 Brussels: Bus 14, 20 and 86 – TOUR & TAXIS/THURN EN TAXIS stop

    • Access by bike:
      A secure bike parking is available, free of charge, for the duration of the event (from 12am till 6pm on Friday and from 10am till 6pm on Saturday and Sunday).
      How does it work ? Park your bike for free and receive a code by text message that you can use at the exit when you pick up your bike.

      You can access it via 3, Rue Picard, 1000 Brussels.This parking is operated by Cycloparking.

    • Access by car:
      The Tour & Taxis site has two underground car parks, accessible via 86C avenue du Port or 13 rue Picard.

      View the day parking rates here: https://tour-taxis.com/assets/car-park-rates.pdf.

    Low Emission Zone

    The Brussels-Capital Region is a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). If you are coming by car or van, check on lez.brussels  whether your vehicle can drive within it. If your vehicle does not meet the access criteria, you can buy a day pass or use one of the numerous alternatives for travelling around the LEZ. If your vehicle is registered abroad, registration is free and compulsory to be able to drive in the LEZ. 
    Thank you for playing your part in the regional effort to improve air quality and, therefore, public health!

    Image rights

    Taking and distribution of photographs

    The BD Comic Strip Festival is an event open to everyone. Photographs will be taken during the event and published for promotional purposes on Google Photos and other media (e.g. brochures, newsletters, social networks, newspapers, etc.).

    More info
région de bruxelles-capitale
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