Nearly 60 Canadian authors, more than half from Québec, will participate in panels, book signings, workshops, and live drawing events at one of the world’s most significant literary festivals from January 24th to January 28th.
Every year, the Angoulême International Comics Festival brings together more than 200,000 comic and graphic novel artists, writers, publishers, professionals, and enthusiasts from all over. There are many French comics festivals, but Angoulême is by far the most important in France in terms of reputation and attendance.
Canada’s comic and graphic novel industry plays a major role in this year’s festival. There is a Canadian pavilion and a large feature exhibition: D’un océan à l’autre, cap sur la bande dessinée canadienne. There is even a food truck on-site, offering “classics” of Canadian cuisine.
France is one of Canada’s key trading partners and a priority market in Canada’s Creative Export Strategy.
Participating Canadian artists and writers include Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Vivian Zhou, Djibril Morissette-Phan, Jillian Tamaki, Edmond Baudouin, Christian Quesnel, Katherena Vermette, Cole Pauls, Réal Godbout, Charlotte Gosselin, and Jean-François Laliberté.
Image: Jillian Tamaki graphic, Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Angoulême website
Catherine Fisher, blogger
