The Four Day International Comic Festival starts in Angouleme, Charente

The 2010 Festival International de la Bande Dessinée in Angoulême is expected to draw over 200,000 visitors, artists and exhibitors worldwide. The French regard their comics and graphic novels as they do their food and wine – with respect and consideration. Band dessinée enjoy a status far more elevated than “comics” in Britain – filling aisles in public libraries and bookshops and exhibited in the Louvre. A sample of this year’s exhibitions include the raw, powerful drawings of Christian Hincker (aka Blutch), the work of autobiographical author Fabrice Neaud, the minimalistic Fabio Viscoglisosi and a collection of eight Russian authors whose work has never reached France before.
Over the four days there will be a variety of seminars, activities, shows, screenings and exhibitions spread out over the city. Finally the Fauves d’Angouleme will be awarded, with the prestigious ‘Fauve d’Or’ going to the author of the best album of the year. More information