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The postponement of dates for Livre Paris caused an earthquake for a number of events in the regions. The weekend of May 28 to 31 heralded a great diversity of events, but the arrival of the Parisian juggernaut poses serious problems – media, logistics and more, and we forget. However, in the race, another reference in the matter is hampered: the Angoulême Comic Strip Festival, which had planned to install its bubbles in the city at this time.
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Franck Bondoux, director of Neuvième Art +, which organizes the FIBD, evokes ” at this point, amazement and astonishment “. For several reasons, he explains to ActuaLitté. ” We were very transparent, explaining in our communication, stressing that we would set up a diptych: first at the end of January with one outside the walls, insofar as the festival has been associated with this month for years. Then, an event time – in no way similar to that initially planned – which would bring together the editors.»Between late spring and early summer.
The staff and the pilgrim (variant of The map and the territory)
Because a simple observation arises: the 8,500 contributors who take part in the festival blow up the counters even before the festival-goers arrive. “We can always imagine offering a golden ticket like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it’s short.The current health rules therefore prohibit dreaming. “Afterwards, we are all sailing in the middle of fiction, and maybe we won’t be able to do anything, even in 8 months …»
But, said Pascal, we must bet: the division into two dates is thus formalized on September 23. For this spring / summer collection, the director of Neuvième Art + is scratching his head. “For ordinary people, it seemed simple enough to identify a period between May 15 and June 15. », He continues. However, the FIBD has chosen to consult the various partners involved, to effectively juggle the various imperatives – including the demonstrations of the little comrades.
In Angoulême, Musiques Métisses will be set up on June 5 and 6, and at the same time, the Rendez-vous de la Bande Dessine d’Amiens. “Taking these parameters into account left few alternatives. All the trade show organizers have come into resistance, the word is not too strong. Everyone’s effort involves annoying others as little as possible. »
The niche defined, Franck Bondoux is “left with a bundle to discuss with the editors – those of the SNE among others. Not only. A necessary consultation phase, to test our choice before confirming it “. Many of the houses then feel that the weekend is good – not collapsing with any other event, and against the calendars.
« These discussions, I began them throughout the week before Livre Paris issued its own press release. While I took the time for consultation – because with the Covid, showing solidarity is preferable – here I learn in the press the new dates. »
Taken aback, therefore, in the image of all the demonstrations that evoked in our columns a certain Parisian contempt.
FIBD and Livre Paris head-on: “La catastrophe”
«No naivety: I don’t know who did what, only that the SNE owns Livre Paris, that the president of the SNE also manages important comic book houses – for which it will prove even more difficult to favor one either of the manifestations», Analyzes Franck Bondoux. Remain loyal to the event of the union chaired by Vincent Montagne, owner of Média Participations (Dargaud, Dupuis, Lombard) or dissociate oneself in order to reach the Angoumois city? The decision will not be neutral – or will it be accountable?
«The disaster, we’ll be there if Angoulême and Livre Paris arrive in front of each other. »
For now, the boss of Neuvième Art + has written to the authorities concerned, and… “I’m waiting for someone to answer me. I am in the middle of the ford“. Not to say the ass between two chairs. With time playing against him: “The FIBD is not the Avignon festival, and Olivier Py said very well his dismay. However, creating bubbles in Angoulême is not done by opening the door of a cupboard. “Notify service providers, reserve infrastructure …
Xavier Bonnefont, mayor of Angoulême and Franck Bondoux
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«Mad people who organize a festival at the end of January do not have a problem, from this point of view – they are not legion. For late spring or early summer, it’s a different story. »
Mass disinformation?
So ? “We must discuss. We must prevent comic book publishers from favoring Angoulême, or having to choose between two benchmark events – one of which is in their DNA – in the general interest. There, it would be grotesque and harmful. Even if I note that my interlocutors did not seem very informed about this postponement or the calendar options of Livre Paris. »
It is therefore urgent to reach an agreement: a solution that everyone is impatiently awaiting. “Of course, Livre Paris contributes significantly to the financing of the National Publishing Union. Angoulême, for its part, contributes to the comic book sector as a whole.And as such, some have already made their choice.
Indeed, 702,000 €, against 586,000 € in 2017 – and the figures for 2019 showed a further increase. On a budget of 2.4 million €, the sum is by no means negligible – and the consequences of a new cancellation leave one wondering.
And, far from the fortifications of Angoulême, on the side of Saint-Germain-des-Près, some, annoyed, are sorry: “The SNE does not have control over the schedules for the Porte de Versailles. Which leaves Reed fully responsible for the choice of this weekend, since they are co-organizers, not anticipating overlaps.“What to breathe on the embers of a Reedxit, already strongly anticipated in 2019 …
photo credit: ActuaLitté, CC BY SA 2.0
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