Geek pop culture is on the rise

ENTERTAINMENT. The South of Haut-Marne will benefit from a double first: two trade fairs dedicated to pop-culture will be held on the same day, Thursday May 14 of Ascension, respectively in Chalindrey and Saints-Geosmes. Notice to amateurs.

Two lounges for the price of one. While the Pays de Langres has never known, in a recent period at least, an event specifically linked to geek pop-culture in general, two firsts are announced… for the same day, Ascension Thursday, May 14.

Already organizer of the manga convention “Langres Japan Paradise†, which has been held for two years in autumn at the Jean-Favre room, the “Paradise Event†structure has joined forces with the Langres company “Atoutgeek†, managed by Teddy Ancel, to offer a new “Geek Fair†, at the Urbatus room in Saints-Geosmes. For its part, “Geek Collector†, based in Vesoul, will invest in the socio-cultural center of Chalindrey. The concomitance is, in reality, not a coincidence, the two companies being part of a competitive context marked throughout the French northeast.

“Geeks” will therefore be spoiled for choice. As for the Urbatus room, the festival promises to be free, taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with numerous activities included. “We will have around fifteen exhibitors: video games, particularly retro, figurines, old toys, creators from the region (engravings on canvas and on wood, as well as handmade objects),” lists Axel Vendroz, director of “Paradise Event.”

La moto de “The Walking Dead†attendue

Among the activities, a tournament on the video game “Mario Kart†should appeal to fans. The highlight of the day will be the exhibition of Daryl Dixon’s motorcycle, from the famous series “The Walking Dead†, autographed by his French voice, the late Emmanuel Karsen. “Emmanuel signed it during our first manga convention in Langres, in 2024,” recalls Axel Vendroz. Finally, an introduction to the card game Pokemon will also be offered to participants.

These cards will be a component of the other show, “Geek Collector†, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and which will be free for children under 10 years old. “Pokemon cards are the phenomenon of the moment,†rejoices Matthieu Perrot, manager of “Geek Collector†, who announces that a trade fair will be present at the event. “We will also have “Trading card games†, around ten exhibitors, retrogaming, a fantasy author, an illustrator and figurines, some designed by 3D printing.”

In terms of entertainment, the “Geek Collector†lounge will be able to count on video game tournaments (with around twenty consoles accessible, from the Atari 2600 to the first Xbox), a board games area, another for children, or even a sequence around the iconic character of Stitch.

Nicolas Corté

n.corte@jhm.fr