FALFA Bordeaux 2026: Feedback on the First Edition
Intro
On June 20 and 21, 2026, I attended the first edition of FALFA (African Book and Arts Festival) in Bordeaux.
The festival’s goal was to bring together authors, artists, creators, and enthusiasts to celebrate African and Afro-descendant cultures. I find this initiative particularly interesting, as this type of event is still rare in France.
For Muntu Warriors, whose creative universe is inspired by African cultures, it was only natural to be there.
Two Days at the Fair in Bordeaux
The festival took place over two days, Friday and Saturday, at Hangar 14 in Bordeaux.
The visitors were curious, friendly, and interested in the various projects on display.
I had the opportunity to showcase the entire Muntu Warriors collection, chat with readers, introduce the series to new people, and meet other creators in the industry.
My Weekend as the Creator of Muntu Warriors
I’ll be honest: this convention was no walk in the park.
The adventure began even before I arrived in Bordeaux.
A few days before leaving, I was still waiting for a large order of printed books. Between production deadlines, tracking the shipment, and the risk of not receiving the stock on time, I was already feeling the stress.
The books finally arrived the very day I was set to leave.
I then made my way through Paris carrying several bags, some kakemonos, a suitcase full of books, and over a hundred copies strapped to my back. Between transportation issues, route changes, and the crowds, the trip turned into a real obstacle course.
Unfortunately, my heavyest bag was damaged on the road, some of the stock for Volume 4 was also damaged during transport. More than half of the copies I’d brought with me had serious damage to the corners and covers.
Once I arrived, other little surprises came into play: unexpected hotel charges, booth equipment worn out from the trip, and the fatigue that built up over the weekend.
In short, it was clearly not the easiest convention of my career.
The Positive Aspects
Despite the challenges, there are several things that make me optimistic.
The festival helped showcase African cultures to the Bordeaux public. This type of initiative is still rare in France and deserves support.
I was also able to meet new readers and introduce Muntu Warriors to people who weren’t yet familiar with the series.
FALFA also gave me the chance to reconnect with several acquaintances, friends, and contacts, as well as to exchange ideas with other creators in attendance.
Finally, the event confirmed that there is genuine interest in works inspired by African cultures. Visitors were curious, asked questions, and took the time to explore the various projects on display.
Beyond sales, it’s often the encounters and conversations that remain the most memorable aspects of an event.
Areas for Improvement
Like any first edition, the festival still has room for improvement. From my perspective, several aspects could be improved:
Overall Attendance
Given the extensive publicity surrounding the event, I had hoped to see more visitors. That said, attracting an audience remains a challenge for most cultural events today, and even more so for a first edition.
The choice of dates
I understand the desire to avoid a conflict with the Music Festival on June 21. However, holding the festival on Friday and Saturday seems less ideal to me than a Saturday-Sunday format.
Friday is still a workday for a large portion of the audience, which can naturally limit attendance.
The Focus of the Activities
In my opinion, the activities offered were sometimes too broad for a fair focused on African literature and fiction.
I would have liked to see more content related to comics, manga, animation, film, video games, or even short films inspired by African cultures.
Of course, dance, music, and fashion shows certainly have their place at this type of event, but I think there’s also a great opportunity to highlight African and Afro-descendant works of fiction more prominently. This would allow FALFA to develop a stronger identity and further distinguish itself from other African cultural events.
Partnerships with Accommodation Providers
For exhibitors traveling from far away, lodging is a significant expense.
Developing partnerships with local hotels, residences, or other lodging providers could help reduce costs and encourage more creators to participate.
Discover Muntu Warriors
If you’re discovering Muntu Warriors through this article, it’s a comic book series inspired by African cultures, blending superheroes, mythology, adventure, and fantasy.
My goal is simple: to tell captivating stories while highlighting the richness of African cultures through fiction.
The series currently consists of several volumes, available in French and English.
Conclusion
Participating in FALFA allowed me to confirm several things.
First, that events dedicated to African cultures have a rightful place in France.
Second, that as an independent author, logistics can sometimes be just as much of a challenge as sales themselves.
Despite the difficulties I encountered throughout the weekend, I’m still glad I took part in this first edition. I hope to see FALFA continue to grow, evolve, and establish itself as a must-attend event for creators and enthusiasts of African cultures.
Thank you to everyone who came to check out the series, chat for a bit, or take home a copy of Muntu Warriors.
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