Europe’s largest comics festival takes place this weekend (starting today).

While the English language comics community is gearing up for next weekend’s New York Comic Con, it’s important to point out that many Canadian BD creators and publishers are in France this weekend at the largest European comics event, the Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Angoulême.

While New York is big, Angoulême is probably more comparable to July’s San Diego Comic Con International in size and scope. Like many European festivals it isn’t confined to a single convention hall or facility (as they are here in North America) but scattered all over the town itself, in 22 different locations such as museums, libraries, art galleries and hotels.