The exhibition "Ceci n'est pas la BD flamande" ["This is not the Flemish comic strip"] will be set up in the main courtyard of the town hall. Its primary aim is to present a cross-section of the new generation of Flemish cartoonists. Twenty cartoonists - Serge Baeken, Randall.C, Conz, Luc Cromheecke, Reinhart Croon, Pieter De Poortere, Kim Duchateau, Brecht Evens, Stijn Gisquière, Ilah, Jeroen Janssen, Nix, Philip Paquet, Olivier Schrauwen, Kristof Spaey, Simon Spruyt, Stedho, Gerolf Van de Perre, Maarten Vande Wiele and Judith Vanistendael - will get their own individual space to put a ‘face' on this new generation by means of their work and their worlds.
The young generation will be presented against the background of the pioneers of the Flemish comics. In a gallery of honour we look back at the most important names from the history of the Flemish comics. In a treasure chamber, originals by Willy Vandersteen, Marc Sleen, Bob De Moor and Jef Nys are exhibited.
The exhibition will also be accompanied by a documentary that illustrates the dynamism in the contemporary Flemish comics landscape from the imaginary worlds of six writers. The stories of Pieter De Poortere, Kim Duchateau, Brecht Evens, Ilah, Philip Paquet and Judith Vanistendael are put in the context of what is happening now in the world of the Flemish comic strip.
Visitors to the exhibition will receive a free catalogue, a small album for collecting stickers, a portfolio of the artists.
On their joint stand on the Place New York, the publishers will have the opportunity of presenting the work of their Flemish cartoonists to an international public. Translated as well as Dutch-language work by Flemish authors is available on this sales stand. Not only books will be sold here; every day there will be special promotions as well.
The Flemish will not go unnoticed at other activities either. The twenty exhibition writers will take part in thematic meetings with the public: "Les Rencontres de l'heure flamande" ["Encounters of the Flemish hour"]. The Flemish will also steal the show during the "concert de dessins" ["concert of designs]: Nix and Johan De Moor draw to music by Arno. Following on from this concert, the Flemish Literature Fund will organise a "fête flamande" for professionals and international press in the theatre of Angoulême.
More about Flanders guest-of-honour at Angoulême 2009
