Among authors, “each exchange is a pleasant surprise” at the Alès comics festival

La table de Jordan Meschner (Prince of Persia), Cossu, Sentenac, et Toulhoat largement animée. MIDI LIBRE – Eva Bonnet-Gonnet

La huitième édition du festival Gardons la Bulle se déroule à la médiathèque Alphonse-Daudet, le samedi 20 et dimanche 21 avril.

In the hall of the Alphonse-Daudet media library, where the eighth edition of the festival is being held this weekend BD Let's keep the Bubble, a few curious people ventured between the cartoonists' stands on site. Others are busy strolling between the boards hanging from the picture rails of the Crocs Gnion expo Gnion, a handful of visitors attend the conference by diver and designer Sébastien Salongues, while the most passionate about comics wait in long queues, just to meet, even furtively, their favorite cartoonists and why not have a favorite album signed.

Some drawings were produced live. FREE NOON – Eva Bonnet-Gonnet

The fans are there

Among the most enthusiastic, Alain, Victorien, and Christian, armed themselves with patience to access the signing workshops held by Jordan Meschner (father of Prince of Persia), Cossu, Sentenac, and Toulhoat, four great figures of comics. "Ah there, you have passionate people!", exclaims Christian."We met ten or twelve years ago, at a festival in Montpellier", says Alain. "Since then, we meet up as best we can at festivals, we take hotel rooms and we stay for the long term. Festivals are an opportunity to get together, to discuss between enthusiasts!", continues the comic fan. &amp ;quot;The festival is comfortable for that, it has the advantage of being smaller, more convivial."

Comic book purchases were also possible. FREE NOON – Eva Bonnet-Gonnet

Going on the road to meet comic book personalities is not unique to the Alès festival. Julie, the "fada of comics", came from Digne-les-Bains (Paca), to meet, among others, Jordan Meschner. "I brought a game for him to sign, anyway !" But also, to meet the faces of cartoonists who marked his youth, like Thitaume (Rabbids). "Coming there is also meeting authors you don't know means exchanging with other enthusiasts", adds the young woman.

Mixed audiences, from all regions

"We indeed notice a fan audience that comes from all regions. One of them told me that he came from Savoy. The most determined were already at the doors of the media library at 8 a.m. this morning, notes Raphaël Bernat, president of the Gardons la Bulle festival . "Another majority of the public are curious, we have all ages, all audiences", welcomes the organizer.

Shared observation for Elsa Brants, Sète author of light, humorous manga, busy signing works and taking selfies with young fans. "C&amp ;rsquo;is my first edition in Alès, I meet people of all ages, people who know me more or less, and each exchange is a pleasant surprise."

Dadou, Sète cartoonist for the pages of Midi Libre. FREE NOON – Paul Barraud

And the meetings will continue until this Sunday, April 21 in the evening, same place.