Lucerne reveals its comic side

Artist Xavier Robel gives a painting a comic touch at last year's festival Keystone Archive

The success of the Fumetto comics festival in Lucerne, which runs this year from March 30 to April 8, is proof the Swiss can let down their hair. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Fumetto promises something for everyone.

The event will fittingly be kicked off with an irreverent performance by pop band, “Elvis Explosion”, and a stage play called “UFOs and Interviews”, based on the novel “Bladerunner”.

During the 10-day event, collectors will have the chance to mingle with some of the world’s top illustrators and wander through exhibitions featuring everything from comic heroes to Avantgarde art from New York.

Original lithographs, silkscreen prints, special edition books and other collectables will be available in the comic shops and at a festival auction.

The children’s film club, the Magic Lantern, will be putting on a special show on March 31. The Zurich illustrator, Noyau, will provide the live pre-show entertainment before the airing of four animated shorts.

The prize-winning Canadian, American and British films include “Le Chateau de sable”. The silent production tells the story of how strange creatures build a sand castle in the desert to protect themselves from a storm.

Window-shopping will also take a comic turn during the festival. Several shops in Lucerne will be decorating their windows in honour of Fumetto.

swissinfo