Undoubtedly, the theater, the audiovisual, the ballet and the visual arts are cultural expressions of ample call in Camagüey. But there is another as relevant as them that despite the efforts of those who practice and defend it, still does not get the attention it deserves: the comic strip.
To strengthen it, the ArteCómic Conference was created, supported by the Council of Plastic Arts of that province. According to Alfredo Fuentes Fernández, its main organizer, each year, in addition to highlighting the values of national comics, the Conference is dedicated to a foreign country or cultural area; This seeks to promote the exchange and recognition of both parties. In this sense, the creators Juan Padrón and Orestes Suárez have deserved attention, as well as nations such as Japan, Spain, Belgium, France, Italy and the Quebec region.
The meeting, which always takes place in the month of July (this time from 6 to 9), is not limited to the competitive event —in which the works and, sometimes, the scripts are awarded— because it also includes the projection of films , documentaries, animated, video game tournaments, cosplay; as well as conferences, creation workshops (digital illustration, stop-motionscript, art design…) and drawn concerts (unique mix of music with the ninth art).
There are also no shortage of book presentations, but they depend on the ups and downs of the editorial production of comics, which, as is known, is very depressed; of the interest of publishers in participating in the event and, above all, of personal negotiations.
The ArteCómic Days seek to involve people with the widest possible age range, despite the fact that in Cuba graphic narrative for adults is null. This lack seeks to make up in some way with the functions of the 3D cinema, which has a good turnout not only because of the attractiveness of enjoying films with such characteristics, but also because of the comfort of the room, air-conditioned and with a gastronomic offer at hand. The truth is that for a long time this site —which is part of the Circuit for the Exhibition, Development and Research of New Media— has been an example of what can be achieved in favor of culture when private initiative is combined with state entities .
Contestants from Pinar del Río, Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus and Holguín attend regularly, which fosters a necessary exchange that rarely occurs with such magnitude outside of this event, which has managed to remain despite adversity, especially financing and accommodation.
Renowned cartoonists Héctor Saroal, Arturo Palacios, Osvaldo Pestana (Montos), Alexander Izquierdo, Noel Cabrera, Iran Hernández, Ángel Velazco, among others, have been part of the list of speakers. Ivette Avilawho never seems to tire of sharing her knowledge, has offered it as a host of stop-motiona demonstration that has been gaining notoriety again thanks to its persevering work with children and adolescents.
The presence of publishers is less because there are hardly any comics. However, the conferences “Brief review of the comic made in Sancti Spíritus. Avatars of the edition (1979-2015)” and “Gugulandia, a forgotten classic of Cuban comics”, taught by this editor, have shown the ins and outs of editorial work, so important and undervalued. At this point, ArteCómic should consider paying homage to the veteran Manolo Pérez, one of the greatest defenders of the genre for half a century, who was in charge of editing magazines in the 80s. comedians Y Pablo.
The Anima Animation Studios, from Holguín, with Andrés Aguilera García, creator of games for mobile devices, are regulars; the Valonia Showcase, a Havana institution that houses magazines and comic books, led by Lysbeth Daumont Robles, who always brings excellently crafted exhibitions, made possible by the cooperation of the embassies in our country; and Ediciones Luminaria, a Sancti Spíritus publishing house that has two published titles: The children of the Quasar Y yakro. The first, a compilation of works by boys from that locality; the second, the complete edition of the homonymous work by Orestes Suárez, whose final part remained unpublished for more than two decades.
The necessary rapprochement of young readers to old national productions is made possible by the willingness of collector David Jaime Saladrigas Viamonte. He has more than once provided him with select specimens from his impressive collection of Adventure!, Din Don, Pioneer, MC comics, fantastic, dollsto be exhibited. It is unfortunate that these magazines can be lost forever because their owner does not have the technological means to digitize them.
Although the Jornadas ArteCómic have had a poster that identifies them each year and the competitive bases barely vary, it should be noted that insufficient promotional work has largely been their weak point.
