Louise Guillemette-Labory has been interested in comics for a long time. A member of the administrative committee of MCAF for more than 3 years, and former director of the R\u00e9seau des biblioth\u00e8ques de Montr\u00e9al (Montreal library network), this litterature scholar has recently accepted a proposition from Fran\u00e7ois Mayeux to replace him as the head of the festival. We met her with a few questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve read a lot of comics and I\u2019m still a fan. In the 70s, I went to a comics festival at the Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al where I met my idols: Lauzier, Gotlib, Bret\u00e9cher, etc., as well as a few up and coming Quebec artists, such as R\u00e9al Godbout.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to accept the proposition to become president of MCAF?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I accepted to follow in the footsteps of Fran\u00e7ois Mayeux, to whom we owe so much. He did incredible work by creating this festival and supporting comics. At his request, I became a member of the festival. Now, I will assume the position of president. What I propose today is to provide more structure to the association, all the while maintaining its strong identity, which is what permitted it to grow so fast in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCurrently, what we need is to adopt structures which will allow us to expand, to be more recognized and to gain notoriety. Notably, recurring events and activities to promote local comics will help to increase our presence. But the MCAF will remain at the heart of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What difference do you see between the comics you read in the 70s and those of today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s almost as if comics – from Quebec in particular- became mature. It\u2019s now an assertive style that can be addressed to kids and teens, but also to adults. Those who read Tintin<\/em> in the 70s will read Rabagliati today, but also Zviane along with the catalogue of this beautiful effervescent community. There are a few irreducible Quebecers who shine around the world. The quality of the work that gets done here is absolutely incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cComics are for kids!\u201d What do we say to that in 2018?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have no idea what you\u2019re missing! There is so much choice for adults. What\u2019s interesting with comics, is that it can be intergenerational. We can have as much pleasure reading a comic for young readers as we can devouring a graphic novel targeting adults. We\u2019ve made giant steps in just a few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom a librarian\u2019s standpoint, we have often stated that the way to get young people interested in reading is through comics. However, it can be very challenging. Yes, there may often be very little text, sometimes even none at all, but there are illustrations. And there\u2019s a certain intelligence between the illustrations and the speech bubbles. Links have to be made, and that\u2019s where we find richness. We can read it two or three times, and we\u2019ll always find something new. We can keep it simple and decide not to ask too many questions, but if we want to delve deeper, we can always find more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where will the MCAF be in 4 years?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
With more presence and notoriety throughout the year, the MCAF itself will attract many readers. It will develop niches, and start branching out in different directions. For example, a cinema-comic duo or jazz comics – I love jazz. They go so well together! New niches will bring out all the richness and potential of comics and offer us new perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are your must-reads?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n