The 1st International Kolkata Comic Workshop, an idea of the German Consul General, Mr. Rainer Schmiedchen, was organised by the Consulate General of Germany, Kolkata, in co-operation with the Consulate General of France. The workshop witnessed a unique celebration of graphic and comic art from India, Germany and France. It was held from 26th to 28th November 2013, at the premises of the German Consulate General, and was the first of its kind in Kolkata.
The theme for the 1st International Kolkata Comic Workshop had two aspects: admiration for comics on the one hand and vocational training and recognition of blue-collar workers on the other. The German dual system of vocational training is world-renowned. In other European countries, too, this form of education is highly appreciated. Blue-collar workers such as electricians, plumbers, masons, roof-makers and welders are considered as highly skilled workers and earn a very good income. German companies are constantly looking for experienced skilled workers. Skilled workers face practically no danger of being unemployed. However, the situation in India is not so inviting. Blue-collar workers do not get the professional respect and income they deserve, in spite of their possessing special skills. In India, a white-collar degree counts much more and is given much more respect.
The workshop was mentored by four eminent artists from the world of comic books and storytelling: Sarnath Banerjee and Charbak Dipta from India, Jörg Reuter (MOSAIKs Artistic Director) from Germany and Olivier Tallec from France. The participants comprised of young students, enthusiasts and seasoned professionals, all working for three days together “under one roof” of the German Consulate General in Kolkata. All participants worked with equal enthusiasm and came up with their own interpretations of the story. And the final product, which you are holding in your hand right now, emerged as a unique mosaic of styles.
The participants of the workshop blended the two issues, admiration for comic and graphic art as such and vocational training, in an interesting narrative: A Bengali boy – Ashok – goes to Germany to get vocational training for roof-making. In Germany, he also discovers many connections between Germany and West Bengal, e.g. the traces of Tagore’s voyage to Berlin. Later, after having finished his vocational training, on his way back to Kolkata, he meets a Bengali girl – Priya – who had gone to France for vocational training in the field of baking and food production. Travelling home together, they fall in love. Later they marry and work their way up in Kolkata on the solid basis of their blue-collar skills acquired in Germany and France.
The MOSAIK publishing house has paid the cost for 200 magazines, that were printed as a product of the 1st International Kolkata Comic Workshop, and will sell each copy at a price of € 9, –, € 5,– of which will be donated to the German Doctors in India.
Directly to the MOSAIK-Shop.
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Self-presentation of the German Doctors: The German Doctors provide voluntary medical missions in developing countries and help where misery is an everyday occurrence. |
Klein, drollig und voller Charme [...] Mosaik ist ein Stück Leben.
Angesichts der Omnipräsenz der elektronischen Medien in Kinderzimmern ist die Comiczeitschrift „MOSAIK“ ein liebenswerter Anachronismus. Und ein erfolgreicher dazu.“
Zeichnerisch weiterhin auf höchstem Niveau, ist das Heft ein gelungener Start für die Serie.
