A missive from our man in Saint-Just, Des Buckley:
“3 UK Evacuees placed in French Village”
In the heady days of expense accounts & optimism, inky scribblers convened in the Cartoonist Pub (aka ‘Cirrhosis-on-Thames’) in Shoe Lane. Fleet Street was in its pomp. The Cartoonists of that era exhibited a ‘thirst’ for social events. Of these Saint Just became legendary for its hospitality. Falling into conversation with John Landers at the CCGB 60th party he mentioned a possible trip to St Just with Tim Leatherbarrow. Last orders were called. Chris Williams & I declared interest, kept our heads down & let John do the work!
St Just falls over the last weekend in September & the first in October. We were obliged to submit a body of work for consideration. All text was to be in the French language. If suitable, the artworks might be shown within the ‘International section’ of the salon. A poster was produced pretentiously labelled “Entente Cordiale.”
The notion of a tiny French Village creating an International Festival is a remarkable tale of chutzpah! Saint Just is a rural village with a population of 2,700 souls. Their audacity reminiscent of an ‘Ealing Comedy.’ Gerard Vandenbroucke mooted a Festival to celebrate the legacy of French humorous Art whilst promoting the region. The energy of local people continues to fuel the Salons’ success. Even livestock contribute. The locally bred Limousine Cow has become the picturesque motif of the Festival.
During the festival the presence of armed personnel is a visible sign of enhanced security. The Cartoonists murdered in the Charlie Hebdo outrage of 2015 are well known in St Just. Their photos hang on the exterior wall of the salon adjacent to a facade featuring a jolly caricature of the late Mr Vandenbrouke. The gallant volunteers ‘toast n’ host’ Cartoon artists from across the globe whilst promoting the lofty ideals of Fraternity, Press Freedom & Democracy.
The Start
I met John at Silly O’clock at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. Tims’ cartoons made it to France, he did not, having embarked on his own World tour. We arranged to meet Chris in Parison Friday. On arrival John & I escaped into theedgy milieu found outside every big city Railway Station. We climbed the mountain of steps to the Sacre Coeur. Where we noted soldiers with automatic weapons impassively scanning the crowds. No doubt wondering why puce faced tossers were dragging heavy bags round Paris. We slept well.
Day 1 Friday
We met Chris at Gare Austerlitz joining a happy gaggle of (largely) mature cartoonists. Upon boarding the train for Limoges our US cousins tucked into hooch with cheery bonhomie. Alas, at ‘Les Abrais’ the train ground to a halt. We were informed that we would be stationary for a few hours until a new locomotive was available. Enter Martin Reekers Dutch Cartoonist & Blues man. He performed an impromptu concert on the platform with John Landers scoring a generous 5 for his dancing (see photo). We arrived late & in darkness at the Salon. We were herded into a conga line & entered the building in single file. The volunteers cheered & applauded each individual. We emerged like ‘Big-Brother Rejects’ blinking & grinning in the brightly lit foyer. We were presented with personalised orange lanyards, a clutch of drink tokens & an envelope bearing the name(s) of our host family.
The frenzy of lavish Gallic hugging & kissing was indicative of the large numbers of regular attendees. We felt a momentary kinship with UK wartime evacuees. Affecting winsomeexpressions awaiting collection. Our Mug-shots were displayed so we could be identified by our hosts. Due to our late arrival we were marshalled into the dining marquee. The organisers fearing dinner would spoil if not swiftly consumed. To more unearned applause we took our places amongst 3 full long banks of tables. Copious bottles of St Just branded wine appeared. It was a convivial evening. The continental majority seamlessly switching languages to converse with European neighbours. We enjoyed the company of Dutch Cartoonist Jean Gouders & Shlomo Cohen. After the feasting cartoonists began to leave with their ‘sponsors’ for their St Just ‘abodes.’ Chris & John were spirited away by car. ‘Mon Pere’ Jean Luc, walked me to his home. I was introduced to his partner Sandra & their giant rabbit Loly aka ‘Mbappe.’ Roused from reverie Loly dribbled a full size Football around the room. Impressive. I happily lightened my load by presenting my hosts with gifts before bed. It was well after 1am.
Day 2 – Saturday
Sandras’ mastery of voice activated language app. jollied up our Breakfast patter. Jean Luc walked me to the village. An old Catholic Church, a school & a trio of new shops near the Marie (Town Hall). He explained the fabled Limousine cows would be paraded on this spot at 11:30.
In the Salon the range & quality of graphic art sent our eyes bandy! Boulevards of display stands filled the rooms & the adjoining Gymnasium. It was magnificent & overwhelming! Caricaturists sat at tables in front of the stage area- drawing live, signing books & flogging Merch. Whilst adding doodles to the blank white cow mannequins we met animator Ed Wexler. He one of the Cagle Group a company providing syndicated Cartoons across the US. Also present was Steve Sacks (Pulitzer Prize Winner). He changed his modus operandi when a neurological issue preventing him drawing. He harnessed Assistive Technology (A.I.) to produce fantastic models (see photos of Steve Bell & King Charles). A.I. is clearly a commercial threat to Cartoonists. Others however like Schlomo Cohen utilise A.I. to create 3D ‘animations from hand drawn caricatures.
We walked the short distance to watch the arrival of Les vaches. A marquee was set up as a bar with live music. John introduced us to Ross Thomson & his wife Glenda. Ross continues to submit cartoons to European competitions. They spoke of events in days past. Including a trip to New York subsidised by Freddie Laker & how imbued with naivety & alcohol they were ushered to front of the Studio 54 queue to bop the night away. Two well behaved cows were symbolically ‘presented’ to Marinala Nardi (Cartoonist & Professor) marking the opening of the 2nd weekend of the Festival.
Lunch followed. Caricatures of neighbours were torn from table cloths & swapped. Hearing my name I was urged to step forward by Corrine Mormont (Veteran liaison officer). A gravel voiced man with a microphone was barking orders. I shuffled on to the stage like a confused vagrant. Thankfully the ‘Sergeant’ called up more including Chris Williams. We formed into an unmilitary line in front of a wall of paper. We gurned at the crowd until invited to draw a cow! On completion, polite applause, a dismount & group photo. The ‘Sergeant’ marched us to the merchandise table & brandished St Just cow key rings. We were charged 2€’s each & advised this marks our induction into the ‘St Just family!’ We were quietly moved. John experienced a similar ‘baptism’ on his debut.
We visited the large eclectic International Section taking photos of our small display. I’d learnt Iranian cartoonists were prolific contributors to Cartoon competitions. Artists from countries with repressive regimes sometimes adopt oblique imagery to transmit the realities of daily life. The elegant drawings of Shahrokh (now based in Europe) offered a more robust critique. France seems less censorious than the UK in celebrating provocative imagery? Israeli Cartoonists had a powerful group display & were certainly not shy in their criticism of their leaders. Differing views were also forcefully represented reflecting global turmoil, challenge, fear & uncertainty.
The evening 4 course meal topped off another full day.
Day 3 – Sunday
We met garrulous veteran French animator & Cartoonist Georges Million at lunch! He proffered his business card which still bears his caricature drawn by Chick Jacobs. When he departed he kindly left us his free drink tokens.
I was impressed with the artwork of Frenchman Dominique Fages he produces lively ‘caption free’ illustrations rather like a racy Giles in technicolour. After lunch a Jazz Combo & Martin Reekers played sets whilst we continued to browse the illustrations & merchandise.
During a lull we were befriended by Olivier Auvray. This staunch advocator urged us visit Steve Bells’ ’Windsor Tapestry’ at the Cartoon Museum. Learning our ‘Entente Cordial’ exhibition was sited at Limoges Airport he turned ‘facilitator.’ Following his intervention we were joined by Alain whom was to be our driver & guide. We were childishly delighted to see our Cartoon exhibition in the Airport. We lingered just long enough to snap pictures as passengers scuttled past with luggage. Alain drove us back via Limoges pointing out the attractions of his ‘home town.’
This was the busiest day for the paying public. In this crowded space, contrary conversations took place amongst those pressed together at the busy bar. Tongues loosened by wine traded, laughter & opinion. The discourse predominately in French tested our variable grasp of languages. We encountered no discourtesy though, many expressed their bafflement on ‘Brexit!’
Before our departure we mused on the difference between the work published in the UK & on display here. Like France the UK also has a long history of disrespectful representations of the ‘great’ & ‘good.’ Our Georgian antecedents would be bemused by modern sensibilities. The Graphic depiction of overt sexual activity is rare in our mainstream press. The Continental press seem to be at ease depicting sexual congress, especially if presented with humour. Our Political invective is arguably more subtle & nuanced? Self censorship & the publishers’ fear of sanction or criticism appears to be a new reality across the Western Press .Host families joined their cartoonist guests for drinks & farewells. As the coach & taxis drew up the cartooning throng shouldered their luggage & were waved off by the volunteer army. The people St Just could reclaim its’ tranquility & the commandeered Gymnasium until next year.
The End – Monday
At Gar du Nord I looked at a copy Charlie Hebdo. The cover was unapologetically radical & obscene. It’s unclear whether the artwork is evidence of a courageous stand against religious dogma, tyranny & oppression or the consequence of a society struggling with fear, integration, distrust & loathing. It was a Great drawing though…
The salon 2024 had less Brit Cartoonists than a 5 a side team. As for St Just it was a feast for the eyes & great fun in the very best of company.
All photos © Des Buckley