The Programme

Erlangen, 4 May 2018
 

Zeich(n)en der Zeit
18th Erlangen International Comic Salon
31 May to 3 June 2018

The 18th Erlangen International Comic Salon – the largest and most important festival for graphic literature in German-speaking countries – will take place from 31 May to 3 June 2018, featuring around 20 exhibitions, a comic fair, the “Max und Moritz” Award, a lecture and panel series, Kids love Comics (a special programme for younger audiences), the Comic Film Fest, readings and much more. A central focus of the festival is the emerging genre of graphic journalism; in addition, major exhibitions are devoted to the satirical drawings of Greser & Lenz, the dream worlds of French comic philosopher Marc-Antoine Mathieu, the hybrid comic stories of Canadian Jeff Lemire, and the multifaceted works of German comic star Flix. While graphic literature is increasingly concerned with social and political issues, the comic book genre also remains a dependable source of exciting and entertaining storytelling – never before has the German-language comic scene boasted such diversity and variety. The Erlangen International Comic Salon, with expected visitor numbers in excess of 25,000, is supported by its main sponsor DATEV eG in Nuremberg.

The centrepiece of the International Comic Salon is the Comic Fair. Due to renovation work being carried out on the Erlangen congress centre, this year’s edition will take place in marquees in central Erlangen, where some 200 exhibitors will present their catalogues, countless new releases will be unveiled to the public for the first time, and 500 artists from all over the world will take part in live drawing events and book signings.

A core element of the Erlangen festival are the many exhibitions staged throughout the city centre. Zeich(n)en der Zeit – Comic-Reporter unterwegs is a comprehensive exhibition on the topic of comic journalism, created by the Comic Salon in collaboration with Erlangen Stadtmuseum, which includes amongst others works by Joe Sacco, Guy Delisle, Sarah Glidden, Olivier Kugler, Ulli Lust and Victoria Lomasko. From the thousands of original drawings in the archive of Greser & Lenz, around 300 were selected for the exhibition Witze für Deutschland, hosted by Erlangen Kunstmuseum; magazines, films and photographs offer an insight into the working methods of the duo, based in Aschaffenburg, behind the incisive cartoons targeting the Republic of Germany and its political classes.

Despite being celebrated as one of the most unconventional comic artists of his time in his native France, Marc-Antoine Mathieu remains relatively undiscovered in Germany. His multimedia installations in the exhibition Gefangener der Träume invite visitors to Erlangen’s Kunstpalais to embark on a kafkaesque journey. In the Erlangen Redoutensaal, with the support of the Canadian Embassy, the International Comic Salon presents Die Kunst des Erzählens, a retrospective of the Canadian illustrator and screenwriter Jeff Lemire, whose ability to combine popular themes with highly sophisticated graphic novels is virtually unmatched among his peers. The Redoutensaal will also showcase the diverse works of German comic star Flix. Von Beruf Comic-Zeichner is the title of an exhibition featuring one of the most successful and popular artists ever to emerge from the German comic scene. In all, around 20 exhibitions will be held during the 18th International Comic Salon at locations all over Erlangen city centre.

The “Max und Moritz” Award is the most important accolade for graphic literature and comic art in German-speaking countries. One of the highlights of the Salon is the “Max und Moritz” Gala (Friday, 1 June at 8:30 p.m.), presented in Erlangen’s Markgrafentheater by Hella von Sinnen and Christian Gasser. 25 titles have been nominated for the awards, which are divided into various categories. In addition, Jean-Claude Mézières, the artist behind the science-fiction series Valérian and Laureline (known to German readers as Valerian und Veronique), will receive the “Max und Moritz” Lifetime Achievement Award.

2018 marks the second time that DATEV eG has been the main sponsor of the Erlangen International Comic Salon. DATEV is an IT service provider for tax advisers, auditors, lawyers and their clients (such as SMEs and municipal administrations). The cooperative, which represents 40,500 members, is one of the largest private-sector employees in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region and one of Europe’s leading software providers.

Please download the PDF for detailed information about the programme.

Further Information
www.comic-salon.de
A free festival catalogue as well as the Panini Sticker Album will be available as of midMay.

Main Venues
Fair Marquees, Schlossplatz, Hugenottenplatz and Schlossgarten (91054 Erlangen)
and various additional venues around Erlangen city centre.

Opening Hours Comic Fair and Exhibitions
Thursday, 31 May 2018: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 June 2018: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 3 June 2018: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Entrance Fees Comic Fair and Exhibitions
Day Pass: 9,– / con. 6,– Euro (1,– Euro Family Sunday – tickets only available on the day)
Festival Pass: 24,– / con. 16,– Euro
Concession applies for children and teenagers aged 14 or less, handicapped people (50%) and their carer (identity document with B-remark)) as well as holders of the Erlangen Pass. Service fees apply for advance booking. Children aged 6 or less: Free entry!

For additional events (“Max und Moritz” Gala, readings, etc.) as well as the Comic Film Festival special entrance fees apply.

Tickets
Advance booking at www.comic-salon.de and www.reservix.de, booking offices within the metropolitan area of Erlangen / Nuremberg / Fürth and Bamberg, as well as ReserviX booking offices troughout Germany (Advance booking fees apply). During the festival from 31 May to 3 June 2018 tickets may also be purchased at the box offices at Schlossplatz and additional venues.

Organiser
City of Erlangen – Cultural Office
Department Festivals and Programmes
Gebbertstraße 1, 91052 Erlangen – Germany
Tel. +49 (0)9131 86-1408, Fax: +49 (0)9131 86-1411
E-Mail: info@comic-salon.de
Website: www.comic-salon.de