Bastia's 13th Comics Festival: A Breath of Fresh Air for French BD

The 13th Rencontres de la bande dessinée et de l'illustration took place from March 30 to April 2, 2006, at the Centre culturel Una Volta in Bastia, Corsica. Against a backdrop of editorial turmoil in French comics—including the war between Dupuis and Média-Participation, the dismissal of Angoulême festival CEO Jean-Marc Thévenet, and poor sales of auteur comics—the Bastia festival emerged as a refreshing alternative. Known for prioritizing graphic and narrative quality over media recognition, the event avoided sterile signing sessions and manufactured star phenomena. Five exhibitions centered on the theme 'Des dessins pour la presse' featured innovative scenography by Atelier Lucie Lom, recreating the production conditions of press cartoonists. Notable participants included Plantu, Wolinski, Willem, Pétillon, Luz, and international artists Hachfeld, Dave Brown Forges, and Haddad. A debate on the exercise 'un dessin en chasse un autre' saw Luz target Nicolas Sarkozy. Plantu noted the paradox that discussing a subject makes it more popular. Other exhibitions featured Stéphane Blanquet, Blacksad by Juanjo Guarnido and Juan Diaz Canales, 'Carnets de voyage' with Cambodian author Sera, and youth works by Bruno Heitz, Frédérik Peeters, and François Roca. The festival also hosted Jean-Christophe Menu's new revue Éprouvette, continuing his critique of BD marketing. Attendance reached at least 12,000 visitors.