LUCCA COLLECTING 2024
conquers the public:
an unprecedented edition for the vintage-pop festival ends
which kicked off the Lucca Crea Spring.
The appointment now is with VerdeMura (5 – 7 April).
For two days the Lucca Exhibition Center was animated by all the nuances of vintage-pop culture: the seventh edition of Lucca Collecting, the festival dedicated to comics, collectible games and “analog” and vintage forms of entertainment in their slowest declinations. A unique event of its kind, created for those who want live your passions savoring every moment or discover new ones. Families, enthusiasts of all ages, young readers and players, connoisseurs of original tables and collectible cards have transformed into a joyful community.
The 2024 edition of the festival was the richest ever: 154 exhibitors among which 9 specialized in the world of original tables, 20 different publishing companies, 44 comic shops, 8 stands dedicated to collectibles and vintage toys. It’s still over 60 artists e more than 500 square meters dedicated to the world of gaming, 7 exhibitions and artistic tributes. Furthermore, dozens of meetings, the appointments at the PalaDedicando (13 guests with d‘author) and to stand with copy signature and sketches. The presence of the international guests Svetlin Velinov (among the most prolific illustrators of Magic – The Gathering) and the Japanese artist Yoshiyasu Tamura (author of the manga Fudegami published by Shueisha and by Devil’s Relics by Glénat, present at Lucca Collezionando in collaboration with the Lucca Manga School), who donated one of his works to the Performance Area.
The festival also allowed the public to discover the world of self-production and independent comics thanks to new Self Area spacethe ideal continuation of one of the most popular sections of Lucca Comics & Games, with the stands of collectives Mammaiuto and Amianto Comics and the Inuit Bookshop of Bologna. The latter brought a representative selection from the world of self-production which included Bomans, Studio Rebigo, Studio Pilar, LokZine, MalEdizioni, Renape, Incubo alla Balena, Attaccapanni Press, Sputnik, Blekboard, Bauci Press as well as international micro-publishing entities ( Nobrow Press, Fremok, Flying Eye Books, Peow Studio, Kush Komics).
An environment designed for experience the fun at a relaxed pace, designed to allow you to fully enjoy every moment, have the opportunity to chat informally with the authors, visit the performances and stop in the relaxation areas. A fair that acts as ideal bridge between past and future, uniting people of different generations through the emotion of discovering a rare or long-desired object, Of find ‘new’ stories to discover e di try games that become a bond for the whole family.
A formula particularly appreciated also by the guests present, such as Guido Silvestri in arte Silver which states: «Lucca Collezionando was a wonderful experience: I thank the organization for welcoming me with so much affection and attention and above all I thank the public for the love they have shown to Lupo Alberto for 50 years». In addition to the events dedicated to the most famous wolf in Italian comics, an installation has been set up in the center of the exhibition area to tell the story of Silver’s graphic and historical journey. The initiatives were carried out in collaboration with FMAV – Modena Visual Arts Foundationwhich until August 25th hosts the only major exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wolf (with the Collezionando ticket reduced entry to Modena).
«The exhibition “Deafening Drawings” set up here was able to highlight the aspects that are close to my heart about this work, and I had good feedback from those who visited it, especially the women, moved and touched by the images. I spent two days in a welcoming atmosphere, where I could meet big names in a very human dimension, of quality but also within anyone’s reach» declared the illustrator and satirical and humorous author Marilena Nardi. Satisfaction also for Carlo Lucarelli: «The authors judge the events based on three criteria and here they were all there: I had a great time, it’s a colorful and fantastic world, there were the right, interesting people, and I had extraordinary adventure companions. I had a blast and hope to be invited again». On the occasion of the festival, Lucarelli presented the comic Julian written by him with Stefano Fantelli, drawings by Marcello Mangiantini and colors by Letizia Castagna: the volume, published by Cut-Up Publishing, had its absolute preview at Lucca Collezionando and went sold out.
Moment of great emotion with the tribute to Alfredo Castelli during the meeting with Daniele Caluri, Silver, Mario Gomboli, Giancarlo Alessandrini. At the end of the meeting, the director of Lucca Comics & Games Emanuele Vietina and the manager of Lucca Collezionando Dario Dino-Guida officially announced that the Collezionando Meetings area will take the name of the artist who passed away in February, becoming ‘Alfredo Castelli Meeting Room’. Sunday’s events concluded with the presentation of some awards: the Lucca Collezionando prize went to Luca Raffaelli for ‘Nuvolette’ and his activity as a journalist, essayist and critic of the world of comics; Then to the publisher “Allagalla”; and to Bibliographic Study ‘Pera’ “The little square of the book”; il Boudoir Award instead it was given to Guido De Mariawhich made the history of Italian television and creator together with Bonvi of Nick Carter.
The event ideally kicked off the road to Lucca Comics & Gamesthe journey that from today will guide us towards the next edition, from Wednesday 30 October to Sunday 3 November 2024.
But while waiting for the autumn festival, the Lucca Crea Spring continues until the first week of April: the Lucca Collezionando ticket can also be used to purchase the Lucca Collezionando ticket at a reduced price Green Wallone of the most important Italian events dedicated to flowers, plants and gardening (from 5 to 7 April, on the Urban Walls), now in its fifteenth edition this year. An unmissable meeting for all enthusiasts of the sector, with over 170 exhibitors and nurserymen from all over the world, who will animate a one-of-a-kind space: the Urban Walls of Lucca. Tickets can be purchased on the site www.ticketone.it/artist/verdemuracon special promotions for families and free entry for children under 14.
The editorial staff of Mondo Japan thanks Enrico “Taki” Ocirne for providing the cover photo