festival program

 Daniel Tejnický (CZ) – Deratizátor (Centrála) 

PANEL – Illustration in Slovakia: Hard, Harder, Hardest
Kristína Soboň / ASIL (SK)

This lecture introduces the work of ASIL — the Association of Slovak Illustrators — which brings together Slovak illustrators, protects their professional interests, and advocates for fairer conditions in the creation and remuneration of artistic work. Kristína Soboň will outline what ASIL is currently working on, the issues it addresses, and the community it represents.

The talk will also touch on the state of contemporary Slovak illustration, the recent boycott of the Bratislava Biennial of Illustrations (BIB), and what this step revealed about the condition of cultural institutions and the standing of creators.

The lecture concludes with a focus on Slniečko, a magazine that has played a key role in the development of children’s illustration and comics — and on how this long-established children’s brand continues to evolve and reach new generations of readers.

Little heroes, big stories (CZ)

An unconventional discussion about reading comics with children and teenagers who review comic books for the Nezletilí kritici platform. What do they enjoy about comics? Which heroes and heroines do they feel connected to? What genres do they love — and what do they miss in today’s comics?

The conversation with a trio of young critics will be moderated by journalist Kateřina Čopjaková, who received the Golden Ribbon 2024 in the category Theory and Criticism of Children’s and Young Adult Literature for this growing reading platform, now counting more than 1,400 members.

We recommend bringing your favourite comics and not being afraid to join the discussion. Every voice counts.

Advertising in Children’s Comics, Martin Foret (CZ)

Leading Czech comics theorist Martin Foret will offer a historical perspective on how children’s comics in the Czech context have evolved over time.

Martin Foret works at the Department of Media and Cultural Studies and Journalism at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University Olomouc. His research focuses on visual communication and image theory, and he has long been dedicated to the academic study of comics. He is the co-author of several key publications on the history and theory of Czechoslovak comics, including Čtyřlístek: První půlstoletí v Třeskoprskách, V panelech a bublinách, and Dějiny československého komiksu.

Cristian Robles (ES)

Cristian Robles is an independent illustrator based in Barcelona. His illustrations, comics and graphic design are influenced by his experiments with graffiti and street art from his teenage years, when spray paint was his main medium. Drawing on these experiences, Robles’ current work often transforms popular culture figures into surreal and psychedelic realms. His works explore social issues with an ironic and humorous perspective, creating a tension between welcoming and confrontational elements. The interview is conducted by Martina Kutková.

Childhood in Pictures – The Challenges, Sorrows and Joys of Growing Up in Comics (EN)

This panel discussion explores the artistic and narrative depiction of childhood and adolescence in contemporary European authorial comics. The topic will be approached through the work of three prominent creators who examine sensitive periods of identity formation, relationships with parents and peers, and the complexities of one’s own body and mind.

The discussion will feature Slovak author Branko Jelínek, French comic artist Nina Six, and Swiss illustrator Nando von Arb. Together, they will offer diverse perspectives on how comics can sensitively and visually inventively address themes such as fear, loneliness, love, social exclusion and the search for one’s own identity.

Moderated by Pavel Kořínek.

HEAVYDELIC: From Hornej Vsi to NEOHALUSKYPUNK (SK)

It all began in Horná Ves near Kremnica — a quiet village beneath the mountains, where reality shifted after one defining event. From a small room in a village prefab block and a few digital glitches, the game HEAVYDELIC emerged: a Slovak sci-fi punk odyssey where tradition blends with pixelated delirium and nostalgia flickers to the pulse of a synthesizer.

In this lecture, you’ll learn how the world of HEAVYDELIC grew out of the peaceful Kremnica valley — an alternative universe where robots inspired by Slavic mythology awaken in the shadow of a cyanide tailings pond above the village, a relic of the times when gold was mined in the mountains and dreams turned into toxic dust.

Tomáš Cíger, known under the artistic moniker Arter Eniac, is a Slovak illustrator, comic artist and video game creator. His work is defined by its fusion of retro computer aesthetics, B-movies, comics and raw Slovak reality. His pseudonym “Arter Eniac” combines a reference to the first electronic computer, ENIAC, with the environmental and industrial context of his native village (the “tailings pond,” gold mining) — forming a kind of artistic/mythological construct.

He also performs as a DJ under the names Computerboy and Thrash Cobra, and is active within synthwave and cyberpunk culture.

How to create your own video game in your spare time (CZ)

The joys and sorrows of three illustrators on their journey to fulfill their dream of a digital interactive project. Different approaches, different experiences, the same goal.

Retro Toy Live Drawing Challenge

The main festival day will conclude with a light-hearted yet artistically inventive programme: the Retro Toy Live Drawing Challenge. Three artists — Viktor Svoboda, Jan Macek and Kateřina Čupová — will be tasked with bringing classic retro toys to life in the form of short comic stories, created right in front of the audience.

Three toys. Three artists. Three short stories.

The result will be an original tribute to the toys of our childhood, showing how pop-culture heritage can be reimagined with humour, creativity and a fresh perspective.

Comics in education (CZ)

How can comics help develop critical thinking, civic values and reading literacy? Comics are undoubtedly a powerful tool for education and civic engagement. This panel discussion will explore how comics can be integrated into different types of teaching to support reading skills, critical thinking and democratic attitudes.

How do we reach young audiences? And how can image and narrative together create space for a deeper understanding of complex topics?

The discussion will be led by Jaroslav Svoboda together with his students, Petra Svatková from Foundation Adra, and a representative of Post Bellum.

Pedro Cifuentes (ES)

Pedro Cifuentes is a Spanish educator and comic book author. Since 2008, he has been teaching social sciences and developing innovative educational methods, particularly the use of comics in the classroom. He is the recipient of several national awards for his pedagogical work.

In his books — such as Art History in Comics and The Millennium Goals in Comics — he demonstrates how even complex topics can be made accessible and engaging for students. He regularly leads workshops, lectures and live drawing sessions focused on visual thinking and gamification.

Artist’s talk with Joana Estrela Barbosa (PT), Madalena Abreu (IS) and Katarina Kratochvílová (CZ). 

Talks are conducted by Tereza Čechová

Talk with Frenk Meeuwsen: Year Zero (EN)

An interview with Dutch artist and comic book author Frenk Meeuwsen (NL) will introduce his award-winning graphic novel Year Zero — the first part of a planned semi-autobiographical trilogy. In this work, the author sensitively and thoughtfully explores his decision to become a father and the period of waiting for the birth of his child. The book captures a year filled with inner doubts, relationship challenges, and fragile moments of joy and closeness.

The interview will focus on themes of parenthood, personal transformation, and the unique qualities that make comics an ideal medium for intimate autobiographical storytelling.
The conversation will be conducted by Tereza Čechová.

Na dosah, Karel Osoha and Ondřej Kavalír, Labyrint (CZ)

A presentation of a new comic currently in development by Ondřej Kavalír and Karel Osoha, scheduled for release next autumn. A limited collector’s preview issue has already been published.

Young Tolja arrives in the West hoping for a better life. Instead, he encounters the bleak reality of agency labour and discovers true freedom only within the sixteen ropes of the boxing ring — a place where he can not only take hits, but finally deliver them as well. It soon becomes clear, however, that the hardest blows come elsewhere — in places where there are no gloves and no rules.

Artist’s talk with Tomáš Staněk – Periferní průvodce Prahou, Labyrint (CZ)

Illustrator and comic artist Tomáš Staněk takes visitors on a journey through Prague — from industrial districts and overgrown wastelands to overlooked corners hidden right in the city centre. His book Guide to Prague’s Peripheries, published by Labyrint, is a visual love letter to a city in constant transformation.

A conversation about drawing, urban wanderings, and finding beauty in places where we don’t usually look.

Studio Grip presents – Indiana Jones