Despite a change of dates, the 38th edition of Quai des bulles was a success. 35,000 visitors came to the rendezvous of comics, which confirms its aura. Interview with Joub, co-artistic director of Quai des bulles.

Every four years, you are forced to advance the usual date of the festival because of Route du Rhum. Did this have an impact on this edition

Obviously ... The festival usually takes place during the school holidays and attracts vacationers. Every four years, we advance the date of the festival of fifteen days because the Palais du grand large is taken by the organization of the Route du Rhum. Outside the holidays, the public is more local. But it also allows us to bring school children. And we anticipate these particular editions ...

This 38th edition had a great affluence despite everything ...

n recorded 35,000 visitors for the three days, including 2,500 school students for the only day on Friday. That's 5,000 less than last year but 5,000 more than in 2014. So even for a particular edition, the trend is increasing.

The result is positive for everyone

Everybody is happy. The booksellers have sold well and are already committed to the next edition. The editors have come with even more authors this year, which proves their interest in the festival. And the festival-goers seem to have appreciated our work, especially exhibitions like Voutch's. The success is there and as long as we respond to our mission, which is to represent all the diversity of comics, we are delighted.

Do you already have tracks for the future

We are approached by foreign structures, who want to work with us on exhibitions or residences of artists. This is something we want to develop because it is in exchange and partnerships that we manage to reinvent ourselves. The development of the festival goes through this opening to others. This is very positive because it proves that it is desired. And we are very open ...

You will be the first to inaugurate a brand new Grand Palais, after one year of work. Will that change the festival

New Palace, new ideas ... The festival will necessarily have a different face next year because we will have new spaces to rearrange our exhibitions, meetings. And if the work is delayed, we will adapt. We'll watch what Amazing travelers will do. But we are not worried. In thirty-eight years, we are well honed.