The international comics project RESPECT is organized by the International Comics Festival KomMissia, the Goethe-Institut Moscow, NCCA Yekaterinburg and the Center of Contemporary art Winzavod

Our planet’s population is rapidly mixing. Individuals and whole peoples have become migrants. The cultures and nationalities mixed together by migration can never be redivided.

So whether we like it or not, we have to learn to live in a world where everyone interacts with people of different cultures, religions, and traditions on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, a multiethnic culture isn’t created easily. If we don’t do anything, bloody ethnic and religious conflicts will occur. This is a critical issue for Russia, as for the rest of the world.

Security forces think that ethnic problems can be solved with tanks. Nationalists think there is one ‘right’ nation, and all others must be destroyed. The concept of tolerance seems too vague to us. It looks like it’s time to create a new concept.

It seems to us, the founders of this project, that RESPECT is one of the key issues in this difficult question. A person who respects himself will treat other people and cultures with respect, whether it’s a neighbor, a street vendor, or migrants as a worldwide phenomenon. You don’t have to love your neighbor, but you must respect him.

So we decided to invite a group of artists from different countries to get together to think about and discuss these issues, and create graphic narratives.

Why graphic narratives (comics, manga, BD)?

This project is aimed at young people first and foremost. It’s among young people that social tensions most often erupt in violence, but it’s also young people who are most likely to hear our voice. The language of comics is perfect for discussing complex problems with teenagers, because comic authors are used to expressing ideas through texts and images.

Results of the project

The goal of our project is to create a mobile exhibition which will be shown in cities all over Russia in schools, institutes, and youth centers. The exhibition will be accompanied by master classes and discussions. 

The work of each participant will be published separately as a pocket book. The books will be distributed to young people.

The comics will also be available on the project’s website.

Publication rights

The Russian-language version of each work will be assigned the following common notes (cc) – free for non-commercial use (without the right to make alterations). The (cc) of the author and the project must also be indicated.

 All other rights are retained by the authors.

The project "RESPECT" is co-funded by the European Union under Support EU-Russia Cultural Cooperation Initiatives Program

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