A little surprisingly, Lucca Crea has plans for Lucca Comics & Games 2021 announced: after the Changes edition, which last year transformed the largest Italian humanistic culture event into a series of online presentations and conventions, this year the program includes a return of spectators and a series of spaces that can be visited, but with drastic changes compared to past editions.
At the moment there is talk of a limit of 20 thousand spectators per day, with a nominal ticket that can only be purchased online and the possibility of purchasing season tickets. The classic pavilions will disappear almost completely to take advantage of the buildings of the city, including the Palazzetto dello Sport which in the 90s contained the whole fair: “Restarting Lucca Comics & Games is not like restarting another event or concert – he explained to us Emanuele Vietina, director of Lucca Crea – We have to make a lot of evaluations and for this reason we have decided to start immediately by defining the borders and the stages of approach. We have to walk together and give ourselves some elements of verification ”.
After the announcement, the next appointment will be the press conference of presentation of the program on 15 September, followed by the opening of the presales, on the 21st; the event, on the other hand, should take place from 29 October to 1 November.
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The first knot to untie these days is the Green Pass issue and its possible obligation to access the spaces of Lucca: “All the pandemic containment rules (masks, gatherings, Green Pass and so on, ed) that will be adopted during Lucca Comics & Games will depend on the current situation and will be in line with the regulations in force. As anticipated in these days, from 6 August access to a series of activities, including the distinctive and peculiar ones of our event, such as shows, events, exhibitions, fairs, conferences, will be allowed in the white area only to subjects with one of the Green Certifications. The same Aefi (Italian Exhibition and Fairs Association, ed.), Of which we are part, underlined that it shares the decision of President Draghi and the Council of Ministers. We want everyone to be able to experience the festival fully enjoying it, in peace: a commitment to our public, exhibitors, workers of Lucca Comics & Games and the citizens of Lucca. We invite all enthusiasts and operators to follow us on our channels, the evolution of the health situation could lead to further re-readings of the regulatory framework and that is why the next appointment with the LC&G communication is set for mid-September and only after that date will be online ticket offices are open “.
The fair scenario is obviously still in progress and this year’s one promises to be a transition edition between the collected and exclusively online experience of Lucca Changes and a traditional Lucca Comics, with the streets taken by storm by cosplayers, concerts, stalls, stands and international guests. A sort of way to relearn how to walk before running: “This year, however, we say that Lucca Comics & Games is back because, even if there were measures that could cause a contraction of the exhibition part, there will still be meetings, presentations and hosted shows. in the spaces that have been decided with all safety regulations of the case: distancing, limited admission and nominal ticket. We have set the size of the 20,000 tickets a day to ensure that everything happens in maximum safety “.
So a small number of spectators, who will be able to purchase a subscription valid for several days, but also a small number of spaces, largely abandon the white warehouses of recent years to return to the buildings and places that have made the history of Lucca Comics, such as the Palasport: “Thanks to the use of the Palasport and Polo Fairs, the spaces have been reduced by only a fifth, or even less, while between the stands there will be 30% more walkability, therefore wider corridors and one-way walkways, with possible time slots that enhance all environments – Vietina told us again – It may be that in some moments a stand is at the end of the path, but in others it will be at the beginning. Obviously, if the capacity of a space is reached, you will have to wait outside your turn and for a few moments, as on the occasion of the firmcopies, there will be specific spaces. The demonstration it will start at 9 in the morning and finish at 19.30, with the first day starting at 11.30 and ending at 20.30 “.
The fragmentation of Lucca Comics & Games in the city will take place as follows: Japan Palace at the Polo Fiere, the collecting area at Sports Hall, the publishers of the comic strip in Piazza Napoleone, i video games in the Cavallerizza Area, with the sport in the Auditorium San Romano, role-playing and card games at the Real Collegio, while Piazza San Martino will be dedicated to narrative. Obviously it is a configuration that can change, even after listening to the exhibitors.
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Beyond the official spaces, the great doubt revolves around what will happen in the city, which is normally filled with people, improvised cosplayer parades, stalls, onlookers and a series of side events that take advantage of the moment. A potentially dangerous situation, especially considering the narrow streets of Lucca and the obvious inability of the event staff to check them all: “This part mainly concerns the Municipality and the regulations that will be in force at the time of the event. Any critical issues around the city have already been highlighted, crowding situations must be avoided and for this reason we do not foresee organized activities outside the areas accessible only with tickets. The fact that there are fewer tensile structures should facilitate the spacing. There could also be one-way flows around the city, but obviously we do not recommend coming to Lucca to anyone without a ticket “.
In addition to all this, i Campfire, or the possibility of having detachments of Lucca Comics & Games in some selected shops and places around Italy where you can find exclusive gadgets and everything that will be presented: “Considering the limited number and the reduction of spaces, the Campfires will be fundamental and will be activated even before the ribbon is cut – he explained still Vietina – Obviously the Rai support, which already last year proved invaluable, then there is the streaming program that will not be as widespread as during Lucca Changes, but will find its own specialization. The work was meticulous and we are trying to restart the events sector: the desire is great and it will be an important path to be done all together “.
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