From Friday 29th May to Tuesday 2nd June 2026, the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum hosts the 5th edition of COCONINO FEST, the festival of the Coconino Press publishing house, celebrating comics in relationship with other languages and forms of expressions, such as music, novels, videos and theatre.
The key theme is Rebels: rebellion as a desire to defend democracy and people’s rights, to say no to wars and authoritarian tendencies, using comics as a vehicle for reflection and critical thinking.
On display at the MAR are the original artwork by David Prudhomme, Olivier Schrauwen, Luz, Miguel Vila and the Japanese artist Yamamoto Miki, whilst the Lebanese performer Mazen Kerbaj will be hosted at the Biblioteca Classense.
A number of Italian and international authors will bring the festival to life through a series of special events, shows and performances, giving the public the opportunity to get to know the most interesting artists on the current graphic novel scene up close.
Among the live events is a performance by singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela, for a dialogue between comics and folk song with David Prudhomme, and by trumpeter and composer Paolo Fresu, one of Italy’s leading jazz musicians, who, together with cartoonist Paolo Parisi, will pay tribute to Miles Davis.
A major new feature this year is the debut of the Spring School: a week-long programme aimed at young comic artists, illustrators and artists interested in the language of comics, comprising theoretical and practical lessons, workshops and masterclasses. The launch of this training school has been made possible thanks to the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ravenna and the Byron and Risorgimento Museums, which will host the closing event.
The poster for Coconino Fest 2026 has been designed by ZUZU, one of the most established and beloved authors on the contemporary graphic novel scene.
PROGRAMME
Friday 29th May
ANTEPRIMA DEL FESTIVAL
STORIA DEL NUOVO COGNOME. L’AMICA GENIALE A FUMETTI – VOLUME 2
Where: Artificerie Almagià – Via dell’Almagià, 2
Time: 9 pm
The theatre company Fanny e Alexander is staging a production based on the second volume of the graphic novel by Chiara Lagani and Mara Cerri (Coconino Press), adapted from Elena Ferrante’s L’amica geniale (E/O).
In collaboration with Ravenna Festival. For more information, click HERE.
Saturday 30th May
REBELS
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 7 pm
Opening of exhibitions by David Prudhomme, Olivier Schrauwen, Luz, Miguel Vila and Yamamoto Miki.
Speakers Ilaria Bonaccorsi, Roberto Cantagalli and Fabio Sbaraglia.
L’ARTE CHIEDE LIBERTÀ
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 9.00
Opening talk featuring a special surprise guest. The event is hosted by Elena Stancanelli, vice-president of Italian PEN Rome, an organisation dedicated to freedom of expression.
ANDREA PAZIENZA. NON SEMPRE SI MUORE
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 10.30 pm
A tribute 70 years after his birth, with Mario Natangelo, Marina Comandini Pazienza and Luca Valtorta.
To follow Disco Paz DJ set with Elvis Delmar + live painting.
Sunday 31st May
PROFONDO NORDEST
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 6 pm
Talk with Miguel Vila about his new graphic novel Deflagrazione. Speaks Paolo Bacilieri.
IL MANGA HA VOCE DI DONNA
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 7 pm
Talk with Yamamoto Miki, manga author of Sunny Sunny Ann! and How are you?. Speaks Rita Petruccioli.
IL SUONO DI MILES DAVIS
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 9 pm
A tribute to a jazz legend on the centenary of his birth. A talk and live performance with Paolo Fresu and Paolo Parisi. Hosted by Flavio Massarutto.
GAZA IN MY PHONE
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 10.30 pm
Musical reading of Mazen Kerbaj, followed by a discussion with the author, Elena Mistrello and Gianluca Costantini. Hosted by Lorenzo Palloni.
In collaboration with La Revue.
Monday 1st June
GAZA ATTRAVERSO LO SCHERMO
Where: Biblioteca Classense – Via Alfredo Baccarini, 3
Time: 11 am
Opening of Mazen Kerbaj’s exhibition, featuring a presentation by the Ravenna branch of Emergency on their mission to Gaza.
FUORI DALLE GABBIE
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 6 pm
Talk with ZUZU and Simone Montuschi, president of Essere animali. Hosted by Massimo Colella.
In collaboration with La Revue.
UNA DOMENICA PARTICOLARE
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 7 pm
Talk with Olivier Schrauwen to mark the release of the graphic novel Domenica. Speaks Giorgio Vasta.
REBETIKO, LA MUSICA RIBELLE
Where: MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – Via di Roma, 13
Time: 9 pm
Talk with Vinicio Capossela and David Prudhomme, author of graphic novel Rebetiko and Rebetissa. Hosted by Luca Valtorta.
To follow dj set by Mazen Kerbaj.
Tuesday 2nd June
LORD BYRON IN MOSTRA
Where: Musei Byron e del Risorgimento – Via Cavour, 54
Time: 11 am
An exhibition of comic strips created by students taking part in the Coconino Spring School. Speakers include Mirella Falconi Mazzotti, Pietro Scarnera, Giovanni Ferrara and Ilaria Bonaccorsi.
In collaboration with Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ravenna.
