Sarjakuva 2026, the Year of Finnish Comics in France is officially launched! Throughout the year, contemporary Finnish comics are highlighted through a national programme, in collaboration with several festivals and major cultural institutions.
Over the past few years, Finnish comics have established themselves as one of the most inventive scenes in Europe. With almost 130 titles published in French since the early 2000s, written by some sixty authors and supported by around forty French publishers, Finland is a major actor in today’s French publishing industry.
Sarjakuva 2026 has the ambition to showcase this rich creative landscape, to promote exchanges between artists, professionals and the public, as well as to reinforce cultural connections between France and Finland.
PROGRAMME
Five programmes will present the richness and diversity of Finnish contemporary comics around France:
March 2026: BD à Bastia Festival, Bastia, Corsica.
Exhibitions, events, workshops, screenings and performances.
→ More information
April 2026: Rencontres du 9e Art – BD Aix, Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
Exhibitions, events, workshops and artist residencies.
→ More information
September 2026: Formula Bula Festival, Paris, Île-de-France.
Exhibitions, events, workshops, performances, dedications and screenings.
→ More information
November 2026: BD Colomiers Festival, Colomiers, Occitanie.
Exhibitions, events, workshops, animations, performances, concerts and film concerts.
→ More information
November – December 2026: Institut finlandais, Paris, Île-de-France.
Exhibition, pop-up library, screening series, illustrated concert, literary event.
→ More information to come !
PALAPELI
More than a magazine, Palapeli brings together original comic strips by 13 Finnish creators, translated into French. In Finnish, Palapeli means ‘puzzle’. A telling title, for each contribution proves essential to the whole: distinctive voices, bold styles and unexpected perspectives come together to create, page by page, a sensitive, surprising and vibrant portrait of contemporary Finnish comics. With humour, poetry and a touch of irreverence, they explore the essence of Finnish identity, resulting in a collection that is rich in contrast, free-spirited and brimming with creativity.
The magazine is published for the occasion and distributed for free at all partner events throughout Sarjakuva 2026.
Sarjakuva 2026 logo by © Ville Tietäväinen