The First Tintin Festival in the World
The Hergé Foundation and Brussels City Council have decided to host a Tintin Festival in 2005. This very first Tintin Festival both precedes and prolongs the festivities of the Belgian national holiday on July 21st and of the 175th anniversary of the kingdom. In a convivial atmosphere, the Festival will cater for families as well as for smaller groups of well-informed Tintin lovers. Staged in various locations throughout Brussels, the events and activities will also allow the visitors to discover the native city of Tintin and Hergé, to experience Hergé’s work from its foundations and to read in the streets the mark left by the young reporter and his friends.
Opening Ceremony
The official opening session of the Tintin Festival will take place in the central court of the Brussels City Hall, in the presence of the councillors and the guests of honour.
Wednesday 20 July, at 3 pm.
The Tintin Fresco
After the Quick and Flupke fresco in the Marolles, here at last is a gable enlivened by Tintin, Haddock and Snowy ! The Tintin fresco will be situated in the Rue de l'Etuve, a stone’s throw from Mannequin Pis, the most famous Brussels man after the reporter with the quiff.
Wednesday 20 July, Rue de l'Etuve, at 5 pm.
Hergé Tours
A walk in Brussels visiting a number of places and buildings that played a role in Hergé’s life or that he used in his work. A tourist bus will provide a second, more detailed tour.
From Wednesday 20 July. The bus tour is free of charge for every person bearing the official Badge of the Festival.
Tintin and mobility
The entire Place Poelaert will be taken up by an impressive collection of motorized vehicles used by Tintin, his friends and foes: veteran cars, old trams, a motorbike from the 30-ies, a speedboat, a helicopter, a moon rocket… Police officers will don their uniforms from before the unification of the different forces, just as Hergé used to draw them.
Thursday 21 July, Place Poelaert, from 11 am.
One-day Exhibition
A mini-exhibition about an unknown aspect of the Hergé Foundation, the restoration of Hergé's original artwork. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a close look at, among other things, original plates from Tintin in the Land of the Soviets.
Thursday 21 July, from 10 am till midnight, in a location which is still kept a secret.
Soap Box Race
The speed demon in all its beauty, freewheeling the streets of the city centre ! A beauty prize will be awarded to the most beautiful Quick & Flupke soap box.
Thursday 21 July, in the morning, from 11 am till midnight, from the Place Royale to the Mont des Arts.
Movie Marathon
A feast of cartoons, fiction films and documentaries, taking into account the different age categories and centres of interest of the audience. An evening session and at least two open-air screenings, at the Place des Martyrs, are also planned.
Friday 22 July, during the whole day, in the M- and S-rooms of Bozar, 23 Rue Ravenstein. Only the bearers of the official Badge of the Festival are admitted. The open-air screenings are totally free.
Fancy Dress Ball
A fancy dress ball with the theme of Hergé’s world. Impossible to enter without a costume or make-up ! At the stroke of midnight, a surprise guest of honour, assisted by a jury, will present a prize for the best costume.
Friday 22 July, from 8 pm to 5 am in the stately rooms of Hôtel Métrople, Place De Brouckère. On line reservation is required.
Quick & Flupke Postcard
Quick and Flupke, who are the most typical characters from Brussels created by Hergé, join the postcard collection published by La Poste. The Quick & Flupke card will be officially launched during a special stamping session.
Saturday 23 July, from 10 am, at the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art, 20 Rue des Sables.
Convention
The serious part of the Festival! To distract you from just sunbathing, a whole day of conferences, debates and round tables on several important themes: Caution! Work in progress! ; Tintin, a character generating passion and Tradutorri, traditori ?!
Saturday 23 July, during the whole day, at Bozar, 23 Rue Ravenstein, and at the International House of Literature Passa Porta, 46 Rue A. Dansaert. The convention is only open for the bearers of the official Badge.
Flea Market
Hergé himself paced up and down the Place du Jeu de Balle, in search of a "bargain”, just like Tintin. In a unique and exceptional way, the whole Vieux Marché will host stalls exclusively dedicated to Hergé’s work and world.
Saturday 23 July, from 4 pm to 9 pm. The professionals and the amateurs can reserve a stall on line.
All information on
Tintin.com. Please, do consult the site regularly for any possible modification. Official Festival Badge giving access to all activities: 10 €. Free for children under 12. The Badge can be reserved on line and at all the Fnac-shops.
Kirjoittaja