International Comics Festival in Contern
It is the highlight of the summer for comic-book lovers: the International Comics Festival in Contern. In July, the town of Contern is transformed into one big comic village, and the event offers something for everyone. Dealer stands are set up throughout the village, and authors and illustrators themselves are on hand to sign copies of their work.
Comics as far as the eye can see
Do you think comics are only for kids? Think again! Today, comics are an integral part of our culture and they tell stories that appeal to adults and young people alike. This is why, every year in July, the town of Contern hosts a festival celebrating comics in all their various forms.
The focus of the festival each and every year is the artists themselves. Whether familiar faces or up-and-coming talent: Dozens of authors and illustrators travel from Luxembourg and abroad specifically for this event to meet their fans and sign copies of their work. Some artists are already very well known, for example through their work for Marvel, The Three ??? or the Smurfs, while others are meeting their readers for the first time and presenting entirely new comics. The festival is the perfect place for spontaneous conversation and also provides plenty of opportunities for a selfie here and there. It's definitely worth taking a look at the festival programme!
The stalls also attract many visitors looking for a rare comic for their own collection or just wanting to browse through the numerous comics for sale at the festival. Every year, dealers from Luxembourg and the Greater Region come to Contern bringing new and used classics, collectibles, and novelties as well as action figures, posters, DVDs, and everything else that comic enthusiasts are looking for.
What? Where? When?
The Comic Book Festival will take place on 19 and 20 July 2025 in Contern, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on both Saturday and Sunday. Adult admission is €5 and children under 12 are free.
There will be signing sessions on both days that will take place until 6 p.m.
How to get there: Contern is located about 10 km southeast of Luxembourg City. During the festival, parking spaces outside the town are signposted and shuttle buses are available from the parking spaces to the town.
A programme for all the senses
To say that the festival is popular is an understatement: since 1994 it has been an integral part of the summer event calendar here in Luxembourg. In the beginning it was confined to the local sports hall, but over the years it has grown and now fills the streets of the entire town. This growth is primarily due to how the festival targets a very broad audience.
It is an unforgettable family experience, which – in addition to the stands and signing sessions – also includes a special programme for children, complete with a scavenger hunt and workshops in the Kids' Corner. The festival programme also includes entertaining concerts, during which brass bands and other artists take the stage. If you happen to be there at the right time, you might also meet some cosplayers and get the chance to take a few photos.
Comic Craftsmanship in Contern
Comics are regarded as a form of art in Francophone cultures and they are extremely popular in Luxembourg, which is also due to the numerous languages spoken in the country. French-language classics such as Asterix and Lucky Luke are just as well known and popular as Japanese mangas and superhero comics from the U.S.
Luxembourg has also developed its own artistic scene – one which can hold its own on the international stage. Paving the way for this artistic movement in Luxembourg was the artistic duo Roger Leiner and Lucien Czuga, who breathed life into the incomparable Superjhemp – not to be confused with a well-known superhero from the U.S. Today, comics in Luxembourg feature a lively variety of styles: from the manga artist Sabrina Kaufmann to the illustrators Sandra Martins and Andy Genen and authors such as Marc Angel and Lucien Czuga, who all have international fan bases.
Interview with Nora Moretti, patron of the 31st edition of the festival
What motivated you to participate in a comic book festival in Luxembourg?
I have already participated in several editions of the Contern festival, which always went very well. It was therefore a real pleasure and an honour to be named patron of the 2025 edition.
You have been chosen to design the poster for this edition. What was your inspiration?
I worked on the poster concept together with the organizer Églantine, choosing to highlight roses, the symbolic flower of Luxembourg, as well as a typical view of the historic centre of the capital. In addition, we find the festival's mascot character, Bédéric, in the company of Princess Sara [a character created by Nora Moretti, editor's note]. I loved drawing them together, because a crossover with characters from different universes is always nice.
What is your impression of Luxembourg when you visit?
Having participated in several editions of the Contern festival, yes, I had already visited Luxembourg a little, and each time it was really pleasant: the authors are spoiled there, the team of volunteers is fantastic, the place is magnificent and the public adorable... in short, fantastic!
What future personal project(s) can you tell us about?
I'm going to start volume 4 of the "Fairy Garden" series soon, still with my partner and writer Audrey Alwett; we're also talking about some one-shots of Princess Sara. At the same time, I am preparing other projects to be carried out later, but which are not yet fully defined.
The poster for the 31st edition of the festival is designed by Nora Moretti. Born in Venice, Nora is an Italian illustrator and designer known for her elegant and expressive style. She works on various projects ranging from comics to animation, interactive games and book covers. His collaboration with writer Audrey Alwett has given birth to the successful series Princess Sara, a loose adaptation of the novel The Little Princess. Nora teaches at the Venezia Comix comics school, sharing her passion and expertise with new generations. And if you want to meet her, she will be at the festival to sign her works!
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