Brecht Evens wins first Willy Vandersteen Award

During the opening ceremony of Stripdagen Haarlem, the renowned international comics festival in the Dutch city of Haarlem, Flemish comics artist Brecht Evens received the very first Willy Vandersteen Award for his graphic novel ‘Ergens waar je niet wil zijn' (The wrong place). This new prestigious prize awards the best original Dutch-language comic book of the past two years. The prize is instituted by the Dutch-Flemish house deBuren in Brussels, Stripdagen Haarlem and Strip Turnhout. The winner of the award receives 5,000 EUR and the winning book is showcased in a travelling exposition in Flanders and the Netherlands.

New Flemish comics exhibition ready to travel the world

On 5 and 6 June, the Flemish Literature Fund presented a spin-off of the expo ‘Ceci n'est pas la BD flamande' during the Stripdagen Haarlem, the renowned international comics festival in the Dutch city of Haarlem. This comics exhibition had its premiere at the International Comics Festival in Angoulême (France) in January 2009 and has since been travelling through Flanders.

Graphic Novel Night at Flanders House

This year's London Book Fair was overcast due to the ash cloud. As all air traffic to London had been cancelled, several booths remained empty and attendance was lower than usual. Fortunately, quite many British and Belgian guests did make it to Flanders House where the FLF and the Flemish representation in London put the Flemish graphic novel in the spotlight.

Linthout nominated twice for an Eisner award

Flemish comics artist Willy Linthout is nominated twice for an Eisner award, the highest recognition in the world of comic strips, cartoons and graphic novels. With the English translation of ‘Jaren van de olifant' (‘Years of the Elephant'), Linthout is nominated for ‘Best US Edition of International Material' and ‘Best writer/artist Non-fiction'.

Graphic novel Marc Legendre features on Words Without Borders

Traditionally, in its February issue the online magazine for international literature Words Without Borders celebrates graphic novels. Among the fragments are the first 20 pages of 'Waiting for an Island' by de Flemish comics artist Marc Legendre, translated into English by David Colmer, with the support of the Flemish Literature Fund.

International comics scene takes Flemish authors seriously

The French public and the international comics scene are taking the work of Flemish comics artists seriously. This became clear during the 37th edition of the international comics festival of Angoulême, which ended Sunday evening, 31 January 2010. Last year, Flanders was guest-of-honour at the festival, featuring highlights such as the remarkable exposition ‘Ceci n'est pas la BD flamande' and a typically Flemish pub where comic books were for sale. This year, the pub was again located in the same place, attracting a lot of attention. Many French and foreign publishers visited the Flemish booth and showed an interest in new Flemish titles.

 

Second Flemish invasion at comics festival in Angoulême

FLF reopens ‘Flemish pub', brings along five authors and organizes 'soirée flamande'

 

After last year's success story, the Flemish comic book will again be present at the International Comics Festival in Angoulême (France). The festival takes place from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 January. The Flemish Literature Fund (FLF) reopens its typically Flemish pub 'Chez les Flamands', where both translated and original Dutch-language work by Flemish artists will be available. At the pub tables, the FLF will be meeting with over thirty foreign publishers and organizers of festivals, Flemish publishers will be selling the foreign rights to their titles and about ten Flemish authors will be signing their works.

Judith Vanistendael nominated in Angoulême

‘La jeune fille et le nègre. Tome 2 Babette et Sophie', the French translation of Judith Vanistendael's sequel of ‘De Maagd en de Neger' (The virgin and the negro), has a chance at winning one of the prestigious prizes which will be awarded during the international comics festival in Angoulême.

Five Flemish comics artists to attend Angoulême festival

Flemish Literature Fund builds on last year's success

 

Five comics artists are to accompany the Flemish Literature Fund (FLF) at the international comics festival in Angoulême (France). Pieter De Poortere, Jeroen Janssen, Kristof Spaey, Charel Cambré and Sebastien Conard will stay in the French capital of comics from 28 to 31 January.

A browse through 20 defiant comic worlds

The acclaimed three-dimensional comic exhibition ‘Ceci n'est pas la BD flamande' now has a virtual twin. It consists of an interactive platform which allows the visitor to enter the worlds of 20 Flemish comic artists by a simple mouse click.