SaYONNE'ara - Manga Days

SaYONNE'ara: A Literary Manga Prize Born in the Yonne in 2012

It all began in Sens, a sub-prefecture of the Yonne, in 2012. Cécily Carriau, a teacher-librarian at the Janot and Curie high schools, and Chloé Beudin, a municipal librarian, founded SaYONNE'ara together, the region's first literary manga prize. The name itself is an affectionate wordplay: Sa-Yonne-ara, a contraction of 'Sayonara' (goodbye in Japanese) and 'Yonne', the department from which this unique cultural project originates.

The ambition is twofold: to promote manga reading among young people in schools and libraries, and to celebrate Japanese culture in all its forms during a grand open-air popular festival. The gamble paid off beyond all expectations: in 2025, 160 participating establishments—media libraries, middle schools, high schools, and primary schools—spread across France as well as Guadeloupe, Vietnam, Switzerland, Indonesia, and Japan, and over 2,330 registered readers.

A Manga Prize Structured into Several Categories

The SaYONNE'ara prize takes place annually from November to April. Participating establishments register for one or more reading categories, read the manga selected by a committee of professionals (librarians and documentalists), and then vote for their favorite works. The categories reflect the richness and diversity of manga:

• Kodomo (CM1/6th grade): 5 manga aimed at younger readers
• Shonen (from 5th grade, adventure): 5 manga for fans of action and adventure
• Shojo (from 5th grade, romance): 5 manga for sentimental and coming-of-age stories
• Seinen (high school and adults): 10 manga for a mature readership
• Thematic Category (since 2023, from 5th grade): 5 manga around a chosen annual theme

The theme for the 2025-2026 edition is 'Geijutsu' (the arts), an invitation to explore all artistic disciplines through manga.

Manga Days: Two Days of Free Celebration on the Place des Héros

Every spring, the prize results are revealed during the Manga Days, an entirely free open-air event organized on the Place des Héros in Sens. The square, in the heart of the medieval city, is then covered with colorful marquees, banners in the colors of the rising sun, and an ever-growing crowd. The 13th edition (April 11 and 12, 2025) brought together 7,892 visitors, compared to 6,812 in 2024 and 3,410 in 2023.

The event is organized into themed areas that allow every visitor to find their place:

• Reading Area: meetings and signings with manga authors, meetings with specialized translators, partner bookstore stands (notably Le XIII in Sens and La Pieuvre in Auxerre) offering selected and award-winning works
• Cosplay Area: two major cosplay contests (children/teens and adults) rewarding the most elaborate costumes, costume repair area (the 'Cosp'ital'), photo gallery
• Wellness Area: introduction to Japanese calligraphy, haiku, tea ceremony, furoshiki (textile wrapping art), Zen meditation workshops
• Cuisine Area: authentic Japanese food stalls, sushi and bento preparation workshops, tasting of Japanese specialties
• Games Area: Japanese video games, board games, themed escape game
• Music & Dance Area: live concerts, taiko (Japanese drums) performances, traditional Awa Odori dance performances
• Creative Area (Egaku): artistic workshops inspired by Japanese techniques, drawing contests, exhibitions of works by the annual contest winners
• Martial Arts Area: demonstrations and introductions to judo, aikido, kendo, and other Japanese martial arts
• Anime Area: live anime dubbing workshop, screenings, Japanese culture quizzes

Growth Driven by a Passionate Community

The growth of SaYONNE'ara is remarkable: starting with a few establishments in the Yonne in 2012, the prize is now truly international. The 11th edition (2022-2023) marked a turning point with the arrival of new establishments from all over France, shifting the prize from regional to national, and then to international status. The increase in attendance at the public days is just as spectacular: from a few hundred visitors in its early days, the event has multiplied its audience tenfold in a decade.

The SaYONNE'ara association is supported by the libraries of Sens—the Bibliothèque des Champs-Plaisants and the Médiathèque J.-C. Rufin—in partnership with the departmental media library of the Yonne, Leclerc cultural spaces, independent bookstores, and numerous school establishments. The support of the Embassy of Japan in France testifies to the cultural reach of the project.

Sens, a Medieval City Open to Japan

A city of art and history with a rich medieval past, Sens offers a striking setting for a festival dedicated to Japanese culture. The Place des Héros, shaded and lively, becomes a space for conviviality and discovery for a spring weekend, where families, teenagers, seasoned otakus, and the simply curious mingle in a festive and welcoming atmosphere. Sens is easily accessible from Paris in less than an hour, making it an ideal destination for a cultural getaway over a weekend.