PROFILE CG: What is the most important cosplay event in Italy and how has it evolved throughout the years? Giorgia: I can say for sure that Lucca Comics & Games is by far the biggest and most important comic event in Italy. It started in the mid 60s, it had periods of crisis, but all in all it has been growing for 30 years. In the 90s it was held twice a year (around the 21st of March, and on Halloween), but starting with the new millennium the formula went back to a yearly event. I started to go there in 1997 and I was among the very first cosplayers to visit that event (or any other Italian event for the matter) wearing a cosplay costume. At the time we were about 10-15 cosplayers attending the event; now there are more than 1000. It really boomed in 2006 when, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the event, it was moved from the previous exhibit area, (located in the northern outskirts of the city) which was peaking capacity, to the old town’s streets. In fact, starting with 2006, Lucca Comics & Games is held among the city streets that for four days turn into a joyful ensemble of comic stands, colorful cosplayers and people, a lot of people (approximately 140.000 attended last November’s edition). If you consider that Lucca’s population counts less than 90.000 including those living outside the old town’s walls, you can get a grasp of what goes on there each year. The first year they had this idea, the local population was not prepared to see cosplayers in the streets and when they saw us they dressed their kids in their carnival costumes and started to enjoy what quickly became a colorful city carnival. I think this is exciting in a way because while cosplay is usually held in a closed environment like a normal event, Lucca Comics & Games is the true occasion in which you can show your work in public to a bigger (and generic) audience.
Photo credits: 1. Fujiko Mine (Lupin III) by Daniele Faccioli (www.danielefaccioli.it) 2. Black Cat (Spider-Man) by Daniele Faccioli (www.danielefaccioli.it) 3. Pink Cat by Daniele Faccioli (www.danielefaccioli.it) 4. Wonder Woman by Daniele Faccioli (www.danielefaccioli.it) 5. Mai Shiranui (King of Fighters) by Nicola Scarmagnani 6. Kasumi (Dead or Alive 4) by Daniele Faccioli (www.danielefaccioli.it) 7. Electra (Daredevil) by Bruno Sturman 8. Sailor Pluto (Sailor Moon) by Demis Albertacci
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