Staying true to its spirit of discovery, the festival offers a free tour through the city, blending monumental exhibitions, live performances, and creative workshops.
As part of the Aix Biennale, the festival pays a masterful tribute to Hugo Pratt.
It takes place at the Galerie La Manufacture (Cité du Livre) from April 11 to May 23, 2026.
Designed with Patrizia Zanotti (Pratt's historical collaborator), the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the famous sailor. It explores the links between the author's real life (his travels in Ethiopia, Argentina, Italy) and Corto's wanderings.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 2 PM to 7 PM (free entry).
This is the day not to be missed for fans and families. The festival organizes a "Celebration Afternoon":
From 2 PM, a life-sized treasure hunt and a mystery comic workshop for children
(note, registration is required!).
At 5 PM, an exceptional meeting with three distinguished guests who have closely interacted with Pratt's work:
The program reminds us that Pratt was not just a cartoonist, but a true adventurer. Born in Rimini, he lived in Africa and South America before revolutionizing European comics in 1967 with The Ballad of the Salty Sea. The exhibition highlights this "mirror" between the man and his character: two borderless lives, between reality and legend.
To celebrate the year of Finnish comics in France (Sarjakuva 2026), the festival welcomes the legendary collective KutiKuti.
An unprecedented retrospective of 20 years of creation, including all the covers of their famous free magazine Kuti and blank cards for five artists (Miissa Rantanen, Terhi Ekebom, Jyrki Nissinen, Siiri Viljakka, and Roope Eronen).
Saturday, April 25 from 3 PM, a musical stroll, workshops, and live performances will transform the museum into a Finnish galaxy. An unprecedented 32-page comic journal will be given away on site!
The author of the series The Super Weekends installs 32 giant visuals outdoors at the Parc Saint-Mitre.
This is an educational and humorous exhibition to understand the forest ecosystem from the age of 7!
Gaëlle Alméras will be present on Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16 for private visits and drawing workshops (by reservation). The Natural History Museum also offers scientific workshops from April 13 to 17.
An unprecedented graphic meeting at the Tourist Office Gallery around linocut.
The exhibition presents a cross workshop between students from the Fine Arts of Aix and Nuremberg.
Meet on Saturday, April 11 at 4 PM for the festival kickoff with the two artists. A large-format collector's journal will be given away for the occasion.
Practical information for key meetings
The entire festival is free to access! It is a unique opportunity to discover comics in all its forms, from traditional prints to the most contemporary performances.
Find all the details and reservation forms at bd-aix.com.
