Drawn Worlds in Lucerne

From 7 to 15 March 2026, Lucerne once again becomes a stage for international comic and illustration culture. The Fumetto Comic Festival ranks among Europe’s most renowned comic events.

At last, it is that time again. Central Switzerland transforms into a stronghold of comic art. For the 34th time, the Fumetto Comic Festival invites visitors to immerse themselves in worlds where stories unfold from light-hearted to dark, from absurd to biting — told through speech bubbles, onomatopoeia, and meticulously crafted drawings. Across numerous exhibitions, visitors can admire works by international artists, many of whom attend in person. The featured works oscillate between heights and abysses; they open critical perspectives and new ways of seeing, recount mysterious twists, touching relationships, and intricate family dynamics. They demonstrate with striking clarity just how diverse contemporary comic art has become. The festival presents nine major exhibitions as well as around 50 satellite shows across Lucerne and its surroundings. The programme is complemented by Fumettino, a dedicated section for young comic enthusiasts. With age-appropriate works, interactive visual worlds, and artistic experiments, Fumettino specifically addresses children and families.

“PEAK” – International Competition

Under this year’s competition theme, PEAK, organisers received an impressive 1,647 submissions from 61 countries. The entries approach the concept from multiple angles. They tell stories of ibex and eagles, of mountaineering and relationship dramas, of ski accidents and climbing the corporate ladder — of vision and perspective in every sense. Alongside a digital presentation of all submissions, the shortlist of the 45 best works across three age categories will be exhibited in their original form. The winners will be announced at the festival opening on 7 March 2026.

“Saloon – It’s a Family Affair”

In this exhibition, a family gathering condenses into an explosive chamber play. The grandmother hosts a celebration; the daughter returns to the confinement of her childhood bedroom; the sons and their partners arrive with unspoken conflicts, while the grandchildren would rather be anywhere else. Between passive aggression, escalating trigger points, and open confrontation, an absurd yet central question emerges: What exactly is the cashier from the local supermarket doing here? Comic artist and illustrator Mia Oberländer stages a furious, dada-infused showdown about dynamics that occur in every family. Or do they?

“Fantastic Farts”

You can hear it, smell it, sometimes even feel it — yet no one has ever seen it. Precisely this invisibility makes the fart the perfect projection surface for imagination and invention. Could its sound serve as a musical instrument? Its scent as perfume? Its bubbling as a source of carbonation? Céleste Meylan, who grew up in Lucerne, invites both young and old to pursue these visionary ideas. The exhibition moves humorously between childlike curiosity, playful science, and creative boundary-crossing — stimulating not only the imagination but perhaps also one or two digestive systems.

“Next Stop: Emergency Brake!”

Step into a curious railway-station world: a reliable timetable guides visitors through the major themes of our time. On this journey through the comic landscape, audiences encounter not only sharp-witted entertainment but also the abysses of the present. Again and again, the question arises: continue the journey — or pull the emergency brake? Drawing from five years and ten issues, the Lucerne-based comic magazine Notbremse presents a selection of confrontational, witty, and surprising stories that invite pause and reflection.

“The Heist”

For the duration of the festival, French-Algerian illustrator and comic artist Melek Zertal relocates from Paris to Lucerne. In a temporary studio at Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne, she creates new drawings live each day. With a clear line and characteristic washed pastel tones, an atmospheric narrative unfolds at a calm, contemplative pace: the story of a mysterious thief above the rooftops of the city. A tale that develops image by image before the audience’s eyes.

On the History of Comics

The history of comics closely intertwines with the development of modern visual and narrative cultures. As early as the 19th century, illustrated stories combined text and image — initially as satirical or moral narratives in newspapers and magazines. At the beginning of the 20th century, comics evolved particularly in the form of newspaper strips. Recurring characters, clear visual sequences, and pointed dialogue quickly made them popular. In the United States, comic books and series later emerged from this format, further shaping the medium. At the same time, Europe and Japan developed their own comic traditions, each with distinct styles, themes, and narrative approaches. For a long time, comics were regarded primarily as entertainment. From the 1970s onward, however, a fundamental re-evaluation took place. Artists increasingly used the medium for personal, political, and social expression. The graphic novel played a decisive role in establishing comics as a serious art and literary form. Today, comics represent an international medium with countless modes of expression — from humorous short stories and experimental visual art to complex, literary narratives. Festivals such as the Fumetto Comic Festival make this diversity visible, demonstrating how vibrant, adaptable, and contemporary the art form of comics truly is.

When: 7 – 15 March 2026

Fumetto Comic Festival

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