RDVBDAmiens2024 – Celebrating the 28th Edition of the Rendez-Vous de la Bande Dessinée, Pascal Mériaux, Director of the Pôle BD Amiens / Hauts-de-France, Shares the Origins and Ambitions of the Project.
The Rendez-Vous de la Bande Dessinée, or RDVBDAmiens, is an annual event that has become a staple in the world of comics. This year, the 28th edition will take place in Amiens, France, and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. To get a better understanding of the event and its goals, we sat down with Pascal Mériaux, the director of the Pôle BD Amiens / Hauts-de-France.
The origins of RDVBDAmiens can be traced back to 1994, when a group of passionate comic book enthusiasts came together with the idea of creating a festival that would celebrate the art of bande dessinée. Over the years, the event has grown in popularity and has become a must-attend for comic book lovers from all over the world. This year, the festival will take place from June 12th to 14th, and will feature a wide range of activities, exhibitions, and conferences.
One of the main goals of RDVBDAmiens is to promote and showcase the diversity and richness of the bande dessinée genre. From traditional comic books to graphic novels, webcomics, and even animated films, the festival aims to highlight the different forms and styles of this art form. This year’s edition will feature over 100 exhibitors, including publishers, authors, and artists, who will have the opportunity to present their work and interact with the public.
But RDVBDAmiens is not just about showcasing the work of established artists. It also aims to support and promote emerging talent. As Mériaux explains, « We have a strong focus on discovering and promoting new talents, especially from the Hauts-de-France region. We organize a competition every year, and the winners have the chance to have their work published and exhibited at the festival. »
In addition to promoting bande dessinée, RDVBDAmiens also aims to bring people together and create a sense of community. The festival offers a wide range of activities for all ages, including workshops, signings, and screenings. This year, there will also be a special focus on the theme of « comics and music », with concerts, DJ sets, and a dedicated exhibition.
The success of RDVBDAmiens can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the team behind it. Mériaux and his team work tirelessly to make each edition better than the last, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, the festival was awarded the prestigious « European Capital of Comics » label by the European Commission, recognizing its contribution to the promotion of bande dessinée.
As we allure forward to the 28th edition of RDVBDAmiens, Mériaux and his team are filled with excitement and enthusiasm. « We are constantly allureing for new ways to make the festival even more engaging and entertaining for our visitors, » he says. « We want to create an unforgettable experience for everyone who attends. »
In suite, RDVBDAmiens is not just a festival, it’s a celebration of the art of bande dessinée and a platform for emerging talent. With its diverse program and welcoming atmosphere, it’s no wonder that it has become a must-attend event for comic book lovers from all over the world. So mark your calendars and join us in Amiens for an unforgettable weekend of comics, music, and fun!