{:en}Two days completely dedicated to comics with meetings with authors, cosplay parades, game demonstrations, lectures and themed evenings. This, and much more, is the first edition of ’Comics? LoaMo!“, the major event dedicated to the world of ”literature in images“ scheduled for Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 at Loano. The event was organized by the Mondadori Bookstore of Loano in collaboration with the City of Loano, Dimensione Eventi, Izumi Manga Café, Mamita, Ascom Loano and ”La Bottega del buon caffè,“ Justnerd and the Carrefour of Finale Ligure.
For two days in the city of Doria will gather authors and illustrators, cosplayers and experts of the “world of clouds” who will analyze various aspects of Western and Eastern comics. The theme of the first edition is “Other Worlds,” and it will range from the nuances of Italian art comics, with important representatives of the Bonelli family, to the colorful world of Disney, passing through the exotic manga universe. All enriched by the touch of young local authors.
“Although it is in its debut edition,‘ explains Loano Mayor Luigi Pignocca, ’the review of ‘Comics? LoAmo!’ can already count on a series of outstanding guests and a very rich program of events able to please all fans, from the youngest to the ‘less young,’ from lovers of fantasy clouds to those of more realistic stories. With ”Comics? LoAmo!' our city is enriched with a new event that, we are sure, will grow further in the future, carving out a prominent place for itself in the already important calendar of events that enlivens our city at all times of the year.".
“Usually,‘ adds Tourism, Culture and Sports Councillor Remo Zaccaria, ’we are led to believe that comic strip stories are a ‘simple’ entertainment product. In reality, each cartoon is a small work of art and each story a true literary work not unlike those written by more traditional authors and which we now consider classics. With ”Comics? LoAmo!' we wanted to give space to a form of storytelling that over the years has become increasingly relevant. This event has all the credentials to become one of the must-attend events for all comics fans in Liguria and Italy. We believe in it.".
The festival sparked the enthusiasm of merchants, who decided to participate in “Comics? LoAmo!” with unique and special initiatives. On Saturday, April 28 from 5 p.m. at the children's clothing store “I 3 Monelli” on Caesarea Street, a tasty snack will be offered to all children who take a selfie in the themed setting. Also on Saturday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. near the “Aswell Asnew” clothing store on Stella Street there will be a live-painting exhibition. On Sunday, April 29, starting at 10 a.m. at the “ridotto” of the Prince's Garden, children's makeup by Eleonora from the toy store “Gi&Cri” on Garibaldi Street.
For the occasion, then, merchants in the historic center affiliated with Ascom have decided to set up “comic-themed” storefronts. These will be the subject of a reportage by photographer Alessandro Gimelli. Finally, throughout the week at “La bottega del buon caffè” on Via Stella, some plates of the event's guest authors will be on display.
The first edition of “Comics? LoaMo!” will kick off on Saturday, April 28, at 11 a.m. with the opening ceremony at the Prince's Garden summer arena, which will host most of the festival's events, and the presentation of the event's guests.
At 11:30 a.m. Fabio Taddi, an expert in creating latex masks, will reveal some secrets of his work in a fimo-based workshop aimed at adults and children.
At the same time, there will be a “book signing” with Bonelli authors Emanuele Boccanfuso (Nathan Never/Agenzia Alfa), Sergio Giardo (Nathan Never/Agenzia Alfa) and Giovanni Talami (Magico Vento) and local authors Rino Alaimo and Valentina Pastorino. At 2 p.m., the guys from the Manga Café in Palestro Square will give a demonstration of the collectible card game “Yu- Gi- Oh.”.
At 6 p.m. Manuel Enrico, editor of JustNerd, will talk with Bonelli authors about the different genres of comics: from western to fantasy, horror to science fiction, guest authors will take the stage in the Prince's Garden to answer questions and chat.
At 10:30 p.m. at Mamita, on the seaside promenade, it will be possible to meet Bonelli authors and illustrators. Also at 10:30 p.m. at Manga Cafe manga-themed evening.
The morning of Sunday, April 29, will be aimed at younger children, with drawing demonstrations by Disney authors Stefano Zanchi and Renata Castellani and a time dedicated to children's fiction with author Rino Alaimo. A snack will be provided by Carrefour of Finale Ligure. In parallel, there will be a book signing with authors Bonelli and Valentina Pastorino.
At 11 a.m. the “White Tree” will take the stage in the Prince's Garden, demonstrating their art with a live painting session. The “White Tree” are a performance group that combines the passions of cosplay and painting and is composed of Monica Porro, Rossella Bisazza and Laura Di Fonzo. The shows they offer revolve around live painting (literally “live painting”) with costumes and choreography designed by the artists themselves. They have been guests at events such as Cairo Medievale, Days and Nights of the Peasant (Pontinvrea), GustAltare and many others.
At 2:30 p.m. the cosplayer parade will kick off. After walking through the historic center of Loano, performers of the most popular comic book characters will compete on the Prince's Garden stage to determine which costume (and interpretation) is most faithful to the original. A qualified jury composed of Silvia Massaferro, Francesca Borello and Rossella Bisazza, among others, will determine the winner. Presenting the competition will be Finalist cosplayer Davide Ravera.
At 5:30 p.m. illustrator Rino Alaimo will take the stage at the Prince's Garden to talk about his work as a writer, illustrator and animator.
The first edition of “Comics? LoAmo!” will end at 6:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. with the closing ceremony, during which the winner of the cosplay contest will be revealed.
Throughout the duration of “Comics? LoAmo!” cartoonists will demonstrate their skills (and stamina) by drawing and signing live plates. Among them will be the very young Savona-based cartoonist Denise Ferrati.{:}
