FLORENCE – This year the most anticipated Comics & Games event in Europe will be visually represented by three posters created by the Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano.
A triptych is inspired by Giacomo Puccini whose centenary of death is celebrated on 29 November.
This morning at the Giunti/Odeon bookshop in Florence it was revealed to the public by Emanuele Vietina, Director of the Festival, Mario Pardini, Mayor of Lucca, Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region. Also present is the artist Karl Kapinski, whose exhibition will be moved from Lucca to Florence.
Three acts therefore of a single opera, entitled “The Butterfly effect”. Things? In addition to a clear reference to Puccini’s masterpiece, the title refers to the well-known “Butterfly Effect”, a corollary of Chaos Theory which studies the way in which small changes can lead to large consequences. A theme that resonates perfectly with the spirit of Lucca Comics & Games which is very close to what was represented by the Opera over a century ago, a combination of literary invention, scenographic amazement and musical magic.
The first act, “Ouverture”, marks the beginning with this morning’s press conference. This inaugural moment is represented by the work that Amano dedicated to Puccini’s Tosca. An embrace between two characters, between physicality and fantasy.
“Crescendo” in Milan, the second act of the festival will arrive in September, its stage will be populated with the most beloved characters from the world of comics, fantasy and gaming. The image that will accompany this second phase will be dedicated to Madama Butterfly.
The Finale, the third act will be the start of the Festival itself on October 30th. It will be represented with a third work by maestro Amano, this time linked to the immortal princess Turandot.
But it doesn’t end here, it’s time for the role-playing game to leave a permanent trace in the city of gaming par excellence: the municipal administration of Lucca will name the basement of the San Paolino bastion, definitively, after Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, creators of Dungeons & Dragons. This is the culmination of a journey started 15 years ago, with Larry Elmore, Tracy and Laura Hickman, which finally found its definitive approval from the city, just this morning.
Netflix is also arriving in Lucca to preview Squid Game 2; Asmodee with the world premiere of Twilight of the Republic, the third set of Star Wars: Unlimited; the unique celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of D&D, for the fortieth anniversary of Tetris, and for the twentieth anniversary of the Music stage in Lucca. And many guests from the rest of Europe, Japan and North Africa.
Tetris will celebrate its 40th anniversary at Lucca Comics & Games with the participation of the creator of the game and the co-founder of The Tetris Company.
For music, 20 years of the Music & Cosplay area will be celebrated. It is now consolidated how the birth of the Music & Cosplay area has embraced the community, extending it generation after generation, making Lucca Comics & Games a forerunner of trends and paths in the world of pop culture which have then had an impact on the lives of many.
The great concert “Twenty years and then…”, scheduled on the main stage on November 2nd at 9pm, will not however be a mere celebration, but rather an opportunity to meet up with all the companions of a beautiful adventure and a way to return the love that the public has always reserved for the festival.
Many artists who created and gave voice to unforgettable TV theme songs and the exponents of the most important Cartoon Cover Bands, the beating heart of this world, immediately responded to the call: Cristina D’Avena, Giorgio Vanni and Max Longhi, Enzo Draghi, I Cavalieri del Re, Vince Tempera, Gli Oliver Onions, Douglas Meakin of Superobots and Rocking Horse, Melody Castellari of Le Mele Verdi, Mauro Goldsand, Stefano Bersola, I Raggi Fotonici, le Animeniacs Corp., La Mente di Tetsuya, Carlo Vik of Cialtroni Animati , Ailar e il Supremo of Miwa and its members, Amuro David and Alex Katsura of Bishoonen, Fabio and Jonathan of Banana Split, Paolo Gualdi of La Flotta di Vega, Andrea Lucchi of Poveri di Sodio, Stefano Salerno of Bim Bum Bam Band, Massimiliano Poggi and the Kimagure.
The “house of comics” par excellence evolves to offer an improved experience to visitors of the 2024 edition. The Napoleone pavilion will in fact be completely renovated to guarantee better usability of the spaces and allow the public to better experience their Lucca Comics & Games, to find previews and editorial news, (re)discover publishing houses, participate in copy signings.
In this edition, the tensile structure that will host the heart of the Comics area will have a single span, with one side entirely dedicated to entrances and the opposite side reserved only for exits, ensuring you can plan your visit as best as possible. This new arrangement will also allow us to enhance one of the cultural heritages of the city centre, located right in the center of the covered square: the statue of Maria Luisa di Borbone, a historical figure who will be the protagonist of a series of artistic tributes during this edition of the festival.
On the occasion of their 50th anniversary, the festival hosts the stand of Les Humanoïdes associés and one of its founders, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, will be among the guests of Lucca Comics & Games 2024. Palazzo Ducale will host the exhibition “Jubilé” among its frescoed rooms Hurlant”. A few years after the turmoil of ’68, Métal Hurlant seemed to realize its promises: imagination in power with Moebius, “Gir” Giraud, Philippe Druillet, Richard Corben, Caza, Jodorowsky, Giménez and countless others.
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