International artists, fans pack Algiers comics festival

2009-10-19

The second Algiers International Comics Festival attracted young and old as the masterminds behind caricatures and graphic novels shared the secrets of their trade.

By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia in Algiers – 19/10/09

[Hayam El Hadi] Many younger comic book fans enjoy the Japanese art of manga.

Tributes to long-standing comic artists and exhibits by the art's younger, up-and-coming generation were only some of the features on offer at the Algiers International Comics Festival, which ended on Sunday (October 18th).

The five-day festival sported a rich and varied programme. Organisers hope that the event, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, will become a must for comics enthusiasts.

"Comics have taken their rightful place in Algeria, which now devotes a grand and colourful event to them," said festival commissioner Dalila Nadjem. "This festival will give comics the high profile they deserve and develop the art." This view was echoed by other organisers, who said the now-mature event aimed to encourage creativity.

Several countries were represented at the festival, which was marking its second year. Festival organisers invited European and African comic artists to run workshops for festival attendees, who came from as far afield as France, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia and Palestine.

A special tribute was paid to the cartoonists of Palestine, as well as to leading Algerian cartoonists such as local hero known by his pen name, "Slim". Festival organisers also offered several prizes to inspire creativity in the younger comic-loving generation. These included an award for the best foreign-language work, another for the best work in an Algerian language, and a prize for the best project currently underway.

Many comics fans made the pilgrimage to the capital's Riad El Feth area, where organisers set up stands devoted to exhibitions, sales, production and training workshops. The young and the not-so-young came in droves to meet their comic-drawing idols and share their passion with others.

The festival hosted several talks, including "Women taking comics by storm", "Comics: A medium of communication" and "Comics and the cinema: Prospects and challenges".

Older visitors were drawn to the "Forty years of Bouzidism" exhibit, which honoured one of Algeria's oldest cartoonists, Slim, and celebrated his famous characters Zina and Bouzid. Nostalgic fans had an opportunity learn more about the characters, which the creator said were a caricature of everyday Algerians.

Hakim, who came with his family to see the exhibition, could barely conceal his excitement. "Zina and Bouzid are a bit like me and my wife," he said. "They're a bit like all Algerians, with their good points and their weaknesses."

"I've loved what Slim does ever since I was very young," added the fan, who brought his children and wife to the event to teach them about the world of comics. "I think he fully deserves the tribute that has been paid to him [at the festival]. Young people should see his genius. They should know there are exceptional people involved in Algeria's art of comics."

Younger comics enthusiasts were drawn to the stand of Labstore Magazine, Algeria's first-ever fan-driven periodical devoted to manga and launched by fans of the comic art.

Nahlam, who discovered the thrills of manga at an early age, welcomed the event.

"I'm absolutely in love with manga," said the festival-goer. "I first discovered it on television, and then started reading comics. For me, this festival is a can't-miss opportunity to meet top-level comic artists from all over the world."