The ninth edition of the Mostar Comic Book Weekend opened on Saturday at the Herceg Stjepan Kosaca Center in Mostar, bringing together over 30 comic book authors, artists, and enthusiasts from across the globe.

This year’s event, running over the weekend, was officially inaugurated by Henk van den Dool, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ambassador van den Dool expressed his excitement at the growing interest in comic art among both young people and adults.

“In the Netherlands, this form of art is very popular, so I’m pleased to see its rise in popularity here. We are especially proud that five Dutch artists are participating this year,” van den Dool remarked.

He emphasized that comics are not only a source of entertainment but also a medium that provokes thought and builds bridges, helping address societal challenges.

Event organizer Dubravko Šimic shared his satisfaction with the turnout and enthusiasm for comics. “Over the past nine years, we’ve successfully engaged younger generations with comics. Each year, the event grows, and this time, we’re hosting over 30 guests from countries as far as the Netherlands and Japan,” Šimic said.

The festival’s program includes drawing and signing sessions with guest authors, as well as children's drawing workshops led by local artists Midhat Kapetanovic Mido and Filip Andronik. These workshops provide young talents an opportunity to hone their skills.

As with previous years, visitors will be greeted by the festival's mascot, Mostarka, who will guide them through various activities throughout the event.