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http://gb.asterix.com A MAJOR EVENT IN * THE LAUNCH OF THE 33ème ALBUM WILL TAKE PLACE IN

M ore discreet than the IOC, more friendly than some G8 who Lastly, René Goscinny and met and prospered in the fif- would have omitted to invite hard-headed Britons such as Sir Bob ties, modestly but fruitfully nonetheless, thanks to Belgium and those Geldof (a former Boomtown Rat) and Bono (a who stopped wor- Belgians working in the industry. Just imagine! Without the Belgians, rying about his blacksmith a long time ago), we, the citizens of the Asterix and may never have existed! And that would have been Gaulish Village, have decided to travel to the northeast unbearable. We really had to pay tribute to the coun- of Europe to organise the launch party for the new try. Asterix opus.

Away from the pressure of the modern centurions who try to enforce political correctness across the planet, It is this wealth of reasons that led us to choose our very own chief, Albert Uderzo, believed that, Brussels to organise the festivities and to announce “Brussels, and Belgium as a whole, would be a fabulous loca- the Gaulish Village’s good news to the Global Village tion” in which to announce the publication of his latest (the known world, that is): “Asterix 33” will see the work. Had Julius, the great Julius, not already named light of day on 14 October 2005 in all good stores, this people, located north of , as the bravest of all well, almost all anyway (indeed, one place has always the Gaulish peoples ? resisted the might of Asterix: the , who Obelix thinks is a land of gobblers anyway). Indeed, to hold Albert Uderzo’s only press conference, scheduled for 22 September at 11:00 am, we needed a truly international arena with the In the land of beer, mussels, chips and multiple governments, the capacity to welcome and other messengers from around the Editions Albert René will therefore be reminding everyone of the fla- known world. In addition, we had to clearly choose what side we were vour of roast boar. Book your seat for the banquet! on, comrade, in this magnificent tectonix movement (I’m not really sure about the spelling…) that is growing in amplitude in the field of . Is Brussels not the capital of the world?

* (footnote) Bruocsela: a name that stems from both Celtic (bruoc) and (sella) and which, in fact, means the "temple of the marshes". Although I’m not sure Valueaddedtax or Getafix had anything to do with it. EXHIBITION : «THE MIRROR WORLD OF ASTERIX»

ne of the main events of this unprecedented launch will be an exhibition covering a surface Oarea of almost 2,000m2. The Asterix exhibition, the largest of its kind in the Christian era, no less, is intended to update the comic book world’s usual museographic codes.

A sterix stepped outside the confines of his genre many years ago. And it is perhaps because his authors created him as a sort of anti-hero, short, ugly and irreve- rent, that he became such a cultu- ral phenomenon as early as the sixties (last century), a symbol of France’s heritage on the inter- national scene and an unlikely hero. Asterix is the product of the counter-culture that emerged in the fifties and sixties, and his colossal success, which is unequal- led anywhere in the European publishing world, has managed to obscure the main themes that under- pin the character’s values.

Issues, values and, some might say, a philoso- phy (one that is humorous but also serious at times), which rea- ders aged 8 to 88, in over 100 lan- guages and from around the world, have identified with for over forty-five years now. I remind you that our very own chief, Albert Uderzo, carries his 78 years lightly and, as he is now excluded from reading Tintin (ages 7 to 77), it was quite natural for Asterix to be given a wider readership! Because everybody, wink of complicity, the smell of ther in one place, and lastly, the or almost everybody, has read, the paper when you first open a pinnacle of the show: 44 origi- reads, or will read Asterix at some book, our madeleines de Proust (a nal plates and covers by Albert point. I refer you to Caesar’s famous cake named after the Uderzo himself, which will be famous slogan: “veni, vidi, vici”. novelist and signifying a memory exhibited for the first time. The idea behind this exhibition tions and our reserved sense of trigger), the row of comic books was to share the essential oils of humour, behind which a spark of on the bookshelf that we would To reach this druidic , the Gaulish magic potion thanks common sense often hides? It is never part with (unless a hefty visitors will pass through the to a totally new recipe (in any this common sense that has dri- pile of sesterces was offered, and “Resistance”, “Caricature”, case, Albert refuses to give me the ven the world since the dawn of even then, it would be hard). “Friendship”, “Tolerance”, actual recipe, so, you know how it time and which we would do well “Courage”, “Utopia” and is). to exercise now in order to pre- “Freedom” sections, and many serve it and to prevent the sky others, one after the other. Is Asterix not first and foremost a from falling on our heads one The exhibition, entitled “The reflection of our societies, of our- day. Asterix is all this and much Mirror World of Asterix”, is The Tour and Taxis site in selves, of our differences, our more for every one of us, from a intended to trigger all these Brussels will be hosting this shortcomings, our deepest aspira- child’s laughter, to a grown-up’s magical feelings to enchant visi- world exclusive exhibition as of tors in the same way as Getafix 22 September 2005 and, if all enchants for a living! The visit goes according to plan, until 15 will be designed for people with January 2006. Ask for the pro- different reading levels, to gramme! Book your tickets! No satisfy children, collectors and Sir, you won’t be able to see it fans (those already acquainted before the inauguration date of with our hero, and who there- 22 September, and even then fore obviously have good taste) you’ll need to be “superquix” on from wherever they may come. that particular day! Pardon me? Asterix’s guiding values will be No, I don’t particularly like raw staged in dramatic fashion and fish… Especially if it isn’t fresh… will be accompanied by the Slap! Actually, I love the sushix most beautiful and the most they serve in Japanese restau- unusual historic objects, books rants, no I do… but that’s where from around the world (Asterix I draw the line, yuk! No, Sir, in Urdu or Mandarin, etc), you’ll still have to wait until 22 documents on the Gaulish saga September… are these people never before assembled toge- crazy or what? THE GAULISH VILLAGE IN BRUSSELS WILL BE*:

On 23, 24 and 25 September, 1 - THE GAULISH VILLAGE ON THE GRAND PLACE SET UP WILL BE the and all the Celts will 2 - A MENHIR IN HONOUR OF OBELIX THERE WILL BE revert to their ancient ways of life to experience what the Gaul’s will 3 - THE MANNEKENPIS AS OBELIX DRESSED UP WILL BE soon be referring to as the “Three 4 - A FRESCO OF ASTERIX UNVEILED WILL BE Glorious Gaulish days” (the 3GG): three days of festivities to 5 - ON THE GRAND PLACE GIANT GAULS WILL DANCE pay homage to our elegant ances- 6 - FINALLY, THE MAGIC POTION DISHED OUT WILL BE tors, at the heart of the Brussels 7 - A “GAULISH ROLLER PARADEË ” IN TOWN THERE WILL BE pentagon, on the Grand Place,the * Clip from an audio recording of a Jedix, a small with pointed ears

market square. A village enclosed the Asterix fresco in the Brussels Roller ParadeË in history, on the by a fence, craftsmen from 50 pentagon. This huge drawing will streets of the comic book capital B.C., moustachioed warriors, depict our Gauls, led by Asterix of the world! Roman acrobats who’ll be get- and Obelix, launching an assault ting smacked about all day, on the Romans, to the joy of the mouth-watering stalls offering children of the school located at tastings, and so on. Thus, a uni- 33, rue de la Buanderie. First thing on Saturday morning, verse that we already know and giant characters – 3 metres tall in love will be set up in front of the the case of Asterix and 4.5 metres famous façades that surround tall in the case of Obelix – will the Grand Place. come and dance to Celtic Galician melodies on the Grand Place, and will spend a large part of the day there. Most exciting, though, will be the dishing out of a magic potion (!) in the after- noon, but only to the bravest Destiny had spoken, we really Gauls. Made according to an Nearby, a little lad will be dressing couldn’t say no to such an address ancestral recipe of the Celtic up as Obelix Junior, to please his for the festivities surrounding the druids on the other side of the favourite hero. In accordance 33rd album. Pyrenees, and known as que- with the great Belgian tradition, mada, this authentically magical Obelix’s costume will then be As night falls, Gauls will come potion is said to have properties moved to the museum devoted to from every part of Brussels dres- that is sure to warm the cockles of the Mannekenpix… sorry, the sed up in plaits, helmets and bree- the Belgians and their guests. Mannekenpis. A Gaulish banquet ches for the very first Gaulish The inauguration is planned for will then follow, to celebrate and the early afternoon of the 23rd, top off this exceptional festival. the moment at which the blue The burgomaster Thielemans stone menhir from the quarries and his deputy, Philippe Decloux of Belgium will be erected and at obviously want to tinge their city which Albert Uderzo will cut its with the atmosphere of the comic ribbon. You know, like the rib- book, and they are going to prove bons Obelix usually ties around it, throughout Brussels, with the his little gifts. In partnership with presence of Asterix and his frail the city of Brussels, this unique companion, Obelix! and festive event will be held so that the great Gaulish party can be shared with all the Belgians and their cousins from neigh- Another inauguration will also bouring worlds. be taking place on this day, that of ASTERIX AND OBELIX PLANES IN EUROPEAN AIRSPACE !

But an internal debate is raging at the Editions Albert René, the Village’s legal institution! Indeed, our lovely manageress, Sylvie Uderzo, really Incredible! Only Getafix could hates taking the plane. However, have foreseen it. Not only has each of the trips (of which there will the sky not fallen on the heads be at least seven) will require our of our favourite Gauls, but they chief or his descendants to lead the will now be gliding among the ceremonies somewhat. And, while clouds and probably a (Roman) we await these planes, the fish, at cumulus or two, in the skies of least, will continue to fly around the Europe! No, you’re not drea- Village, as Albert 1er and Sylvie have ming! It’s going to happen, my no intention of letting its supply of friend! Thanks to the great fish run dry! enthusiasm of those crazy Celts Whatever happens, the Gaulish who run SN Brussels Airlines, Village will never forget that it the impossible will take place became part of the global village via during the Three Glorious the capital of Belgium! “The festivities Gaulish Days (3GG). Today, the in Brussels could well be one of the grea- debate revolves around the loca- test moments of our lives”, Anticlimax tions set aside for the drawings was heard saying to Valueaddedtax, of the famous Gauls created by the famous Belgian Druid, during a René Goscinny and Albert recent congress devoted to the ori- Uderzo in 1959. To the left of gins of the magic potion. But is it the door, or to the right? Above made from brewer’s yeast or cherry the windows, or below? liqueur, hiccup!? Druids with diplomas from the Polytecnix are devoting all their spare time to the project. And all this makes Albert Uderzo chuckle. Flattered but slightly mocking at the same time – our very own chief!

A plane in honour of Asterix and another in honour of Obelix will therefore be gracing our skies as of 25 September 2005, to pro- tect European airspace from Roman invasions. These will be greeted with official receptions in seven of the main European capi- tals before the end of 2005! Are these Belgians crazy or what? In fact, after an in-depth personal - Non contractual layout - and non-representative study, but a study nevertheless, our neigh- bours appear to be greedy, but also extremely cunning. An exam- ple that is to be followed, reckons Getafix! AN ASTERIX STAMP AND A HOST OF EXCEPTIONAL BOOKS FROM THE CBBD

The Belgian Postal Service is Not to be outdone, the CBBD to produce a series of magnificent will be making the most of this Asterix stamps, with which the initiative to publish a range of its country’s citizens and guests will exceptional mini books, in which be able to adorn their envelopes. unique treasures and documents The Belgian messenger-druids are are compiled. In total, over 8,000 currently designing a set of of these will be produced in several stamps in the utmost secrecy. different editions and , Advance sales will take place at expanding the already superb col- the Belgian Comic Book Centre lection held in this Comic Book (CBBD), with a special postmark Centre, for which Belgium is that will make even the most envied the world over! ardent collectors green with envy. Several million Asterix stamps will be enhancing Belgian envelopes

over the year 2005/2006. Doubleclix 56 BB2C Conseil / Studio