Brest en Bulle

Brest en Bulle: Comic Strips Celebrated at the Ateliers des Capucins

Brest en Bulle, or the Brest Meetings of Comic Strips, is the annual event for comic strip lovers in Brest. Every year in September, the Brest en Bulle association takes over the Ateliers des Capucins — the largest covered public square in Europe — for a free and festive weekend dedicated to the ninth art.

More Than Just a Signing Event

Brest en Bulle distinguishes itself from traditional comic strip fairs by its commitment to fostering encounters and exchanges between the public and authors, going beyond simple signing sessions. The festival offers a rich and varied program: drawing workshops for all ages, thematic exhibitions, comic strip cinema screenings, theater performances, illustrated concerts, round tables, and of course, signings with invited authors.

The Ateliers des Capucins, an Exceptional Venue

Since 2017, the festival has been held at the Ateliers des Capucins, a former military site transformed into a cultural and civic space in the Recouvrance district of Brest. This immense and bright space, a true industrial cathedral open to the port, offers a spectacular setting for the festival's exhibitions, author stands, and activities. Admission is free, in line with the venue's spirit of openness and accessibility.

From Loperhet Origins to Brest's Capucins

The adventure began in 2009 with the creation of the Brest en Bulle association, which launched the "Loperhet en ébullition" festival in 2011 in the town of Loperhet, near Brest. After five successful editions (2011-2015), the festival scaled up by moving to the Ateliers des Capucins in 2017, becoming the Brest Meetings of Comic Strips. This move allowed it to welcome a larger audience while maintaining the friendly and family-oriented spirit of its origins.

Comic Strips and Other Arts

One of Brest en Bulle's unique features is its exploration of the links between comic strips and other art forms: cinema, theater, music, visual arts. Illustrated concerts, where a musician plays while an artist draws live, performances inspired by comic strip albums, and animated film screenings make Brest en Bulle a resolutely open and creative festival that transcends the boundaries of the ninth art.