On October 11, CriaBD celebrated its 40th anniversary by launching the first-ever Christian Comics Festival in Brussels — a joyful success that brought together more than 600 visitors at Collège Saint-Michel.

A Celebration of Faith and Creativity

For its anniversary, CriaBD gathered artists, publishers, and comic enthusiasts from Belgium, France, and Switzerland. The day’s programme featured panel discussions, exhibitions, book sales, author signings, and drawing workshops for children.

The event exceeded all expectations, with 18 authors present and hundreds of albums sold. More than a commercial success, the festival highlighted how the ninth art can be a living medium for sharing faith and inspiring hope.

Honouring the Best in Christian Comics

During the festival, three awards were presented:

• European Gabriel Prize 2025: Nathalie Fourmy for Nagasaki 1945 (Éditions Plein Vent)

• European Gabriel Youth Prize: Geert De Sutter for the Cherche et Trouve series (Mame)

• CriaBD 40th Anniversary Award: Jean Dufaux and Martin Jamar for their trilogy Vincent, Charles de Foucauld, and Matteo Ricci (Dargaud)

The day concluded with a Mass of Thanksgiving, presided by Archbishop Luc Terlinden of Mechelen-Brussels, and concelebrated by Fr. Thierry Dobbelstein SJ, Provincial of the Jesuits in Francophone Western Europe.

CriaBD: 40 Years of Faith Through the Ninth Art

Founded in 1985, the Centre Religieux d’Information et d’Analyse de la Bande Dessinée (CriaBD) is an ecumenical Belgian association that promotes Christian comics across Europe.

The idea was born after an exhibition of Christian comics at the Abbey of Maredsous attracted over 5,000 visitors. Convinced that comics could be a tool of evangelization, Br. Francart established CriaBD the following year.

Since then, CriaBD has been a Christian voice in the world of comics, supporting artists and publishers who convey the Gospel message through their work.