In the current context of the health crisis, the Minister of Culture, Franck Riester has decided to extend the Year of Comics until June 30, 2021, thus facilitating the postponement of demonstrations and events that had to be cancelled.
The success of BD 2020 does not go away but in the face of the health crisis, all events will not be able to hold as planned. I therefore hope that all the ideas and initiatives that are flourishing in the territory can be extended until June 30, 2021» Franck Riester, Minister of Culture.
1140 places have already mobilized to make BD 2020 live in France and internationally. Many museums, libraries and media centres, schools and universities, bookshops and local authorities are involved to propose meetings of authors and various animations, dedicated to the 9e art.
However, due to the essential respect of the health measures that will make it possible to stem the crisis, nearly 350 events of the Year of the Comic Strip could not and will not be held, since the beginning of March and by September 2020. In order to ensure that all planned and upcoming events as initiatives continue to emerge can come to fruition and meet their audiences, the Year of Comics will continue for six months beyond the original closing date. BD 2020, launched on January 30, 2020, is therefore extended until June 30, 2021: in the end, a year and a half will be devoted to the 9the art, for everyone, everywhere in France and internationally.
Even in times of confinement, there is no shortage of inventiveness and creativity to enhance comics. The Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l'Image (CIBDI) and the Centre National du Livre (CNL) are currently inviting the French to create a comic with their favorite authors each week under the hashtag #Toutelafrancedessine. Read more here.
Announced by Franck Riester, Minister of Culture, in December 2019, BD 2020 aims to increase the visibility of comics. At all ages and in all forms, from graphic novels to comics and manga, France loves the 9th art! The organization of this Year of Comics, dubbed “BD 2020”, has been entrusted to the National Book Centre (CNL) and the Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l'image (CIBDI), in collaboration with the Book and Reading Service of the Media and Cultural Industries Directorate of the Ministry of Culture.
To find out more about BD 2020, visit www.bd2020.culture.gouv.fr