More than 150 comic artists and professionals from 20 countries will be guests of Herceg Novi for the next six days, as part of the 19th Herceg Novi Comic Festival (HSF), which will be held from tomorrow until September 10.

Along with twelve world-class comic masters as special guests, numerous artists who will be drawing for fans and presenting their work, the festival will feature an outstanding art, educational, and music program – placing this event at the very top of the European and global comic scene.

Over six days, programs will be held at 17 locations – from the squares Belavista and Nikola Đurković, Forte Mare fortress, Škver, art galleries, the library, schools, and cafés, to Luštica, Tivat, and Lovćen, as announced at today’s press conference.

The region’s most beloved event dedicated to the ninth art was presented by organizers Jovan Subotić and Nebojša Mandić, while two of today’s most sought-after comic artists – Eduardo Risso from Argentina and Stevan Subić from Serbia – shared their impressions.

“We have never felt more prepared for an edition of the festival than this one. A full 365 days of work on the festival makes it possible to bring the biggest global names in the comic scene to our city, while offering creative and high-quality programs – from children’s workshops, which we have elevated to a higher level this year, to masterclasses and presentations by serious artists,” emphasized Jovan Subotić.

The official opening is scheduled for tomorrow, September 5, at 9 PM on Belavista Square, where a poster exhibition of special guests will be presented. On the same evening, three more exhibitions will open: works by special guests and Stevan Subić’s exhibition “Ten Years Later” at the “Josip Bepo Benković” Gallery, and “Hugo Pratt – Corto Maltese: Legacy, Work, and Biography” at the “Sue Ryder” Gallery.

“The festival will also promote the latest achievements of Montenegrin comics. You will see that this art form is very much alive, modern, and of high quality. There will be a presentation of a comic by our fellow Novljanka, Jana Vasiljević, who will showcase her work here for the first time and is considered by many to be the most talented child of the new comic scene. You will see that comics live on in Montenegro, and that the seeds were planted right here at this festival – something young authors themselves acknowledge,” added Subotić.

The largest and strongest HSF family yet

One of the world’s most sought-after authors today, Stevan Subić, will present his work in Herceg Novi again after ten years with a special exhibition.

“I am delighted with Herceg Novi. I first came here as a tourist, and after meeting this team through Nikola Ćurčin, I kept returning over the years and fell in love with the city, the coast, and with what these three have to offer,” Subić said.

He added that his career was born in Herceg Novi, where, while on vacation, he received an offer from the publishing house “Sergio Bonelli,” and a few years later began his long-lasting friendship with the HSF family.

“Every time I come here, I’m impressed to a degree that always surpasses the previous one, because these two (Subotić and Mandić) give their all every year, and the colleagues I meet are ever more serious, accomplished masters and intellectuals. It’s pure joy to talk and learn from them,” Subić said.

One of the greatest names in the comic world and the most important Argentinian comic artist, Eduardo Risso, expressed his gratitude for being invited as a special guest to the festival for the first time.

“I truly have high expectations for this festival, not only as an artist but also as an organizer of similar events in Argentina. I expect to truly enjoy myself,” said Risso.

This year, Herceg Novi will also welcome the world’s most influential female comic artist of all time, Jill Thompson from the USA, as well as one of the most famous scriptwriters, Joanne Starer, whose work is exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum; Dave Kelly, editor-in-chief of Heavy Metal magazine; and American comic superstars from the region, Esad Ribić and Goran Sudžuka.

One of the festival’s highlights will be a presentation of the comic about Saint Jerome, organized in the church dedicated to him in Herceg Novi’s Old Town. The comic Saint Jere is an excellent initiative of the Split-Dalmatia County and its authors, Milko Peko and Vladimir Davidenko, who are friends of the festival.

The exhibition program will also feature the exceptional show “Hugo Pratt – Corto Maltese: Heritage, Work, and Biography,” organized by HSF in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Italy, as well as a presentation marking the centenary of Miki Muster’s birth, prepared by Pia Nikolič.

Young comic artists always have their place in the HSF story. This year, the audience will meet Sara Novaković (Serbia) and Silva and Sara Dervanović (Montenegro), while children’s workshops will be led by Srđan Stamenković Srle.

“Comics Beyond”: Confirmation of international recognition

A multimedia spectacle titled Moby Dick City Blues by Italian artists Cosimo Miorelli and Stefano Baccini has also been announced.

This event is part of the EU project Comics Beyond, which HSF is organizing in cooperation with the Comic Strip Museum in Brussels, Comicon in Naples, and festivals in Amiens, France, and Amadora, Portugal.

“We are the only non-EU country participating in this project. Tomorrow night at Belavista you’ll have the chance to see part of the program, while the full performance will be staged at People’s Beach on Monday. It is a truly high-quality, spectacular show by two Italian artists,” emphasized Nebojša Mandić.

Spectacular music program

“The music program of the 19th HSF is not only stronger than ever but also carefully and thoroughly designed, tuned to what our guests and audience tell us,” said Subotić.

This year’s music stars are Ida Prester and Lollobrigida (September 5), Artan Lili (September 6), Pips, Chips & Videoclips (September 7), Boka All Stars (September 8), and TBF, which will close the festival on September 10.

In addition, the program includes Bunt Rock Festival winners PAKS, the band 16-OSAM-23, the HSF vinyl party with DJ MadraZ, DJs Andrea Nox and Uroš Milovanović, Herceg Novi bands Chenova and Low Voltage, and DJ duo 2Beat.

The visual identity of this year’s posters – Comics is Love – and other festival promotional materials was created by Italian artist Oscar Scalco. Numerous media outlets will cover the event, with specials broadcast on four channels and daily chronicles on two, the organizers announced at the press conference.