The focal point of the International Comic Salon Erlangen is the public fair, held in large tents on the Schlossplatz and in the Schlossgarten. Around 500 artists, German and international publishers, agencies, comic book retailers, and university comic book classes present their programs here. Numerous new releases are presented to the public for the first time. Artists from all over the world can be seen drawing and signing their books.
International Comic Salon Erlangen
Since 1984, the International Comic Salon has combined art and commerce, mainstream and avant-garde, in its four-day program in May or June. It is both a seismograph and a driving force of the German industry, reflecting the full diversity of the genre. Over 30.000 visitors are now expected at this event every two years.
Program
An important feature of the International Comic Salon Erlangen are the numerous exhibitions throughout the city – solo shows by international comic stars as well as insights into the German-speaking scene, young comic artists, and themed exhibitions on comic history, comics and new media, computer animation, and film. The International Comic Salon Erlangen works closely with regional and national exhibition institutes.
The Max and Moritz Gala at Erlangen's Markgrafentheater is the highlight of the salon. The Max and Moritz Prize, awarded by the city of Erlangen, is the most important award for graphic literature in the German-speaking world. It is awarded in various categories by an independent jury of experts and contributes significantly to the recognition of comics art in the German-speaking world. The awards honor the work of outstanding artists, encourage meritorious publishing work, and intensify the debate on graphic literature. Albert Uderzo, Jacques Tardi, Alan Moore, Pierre Christin, Lorenzo Mattotti, and Ralf König have been honored for their lifetime achievements in recent years.
The supporting program includes lectures, talks and discussions with illustrators, authors, journalists, and publishers, comic book readings, drawing competitions, and workshops. The Comic Film Fest at Erlangen's cinemas will feature new comic book adaptations as well as all forms of animated film – from current anime to avant-garde. Family Sunday offers numerous activities for children, young people, and families with reduced admission prices.
With the International Comic Artists Seminar, which is held annually in cooperation with the Hamburg agency Contours, the Salon also makes a significant contribution to promoting young comic artists in Germany.
Organizer
Cultural Office of the City of Erlangen
Festivals and Programs Department
Gebbertstraße 1, 91052 Erlangen – Germany
Tel. +49 9131/86 14 08
Fax: + 49 9131 / 86 14 11
Email: info@comic-salon.de
Website: www.comic-salon.de