Colophon 2009 will be a celebration of independent magazines accessible both to professionals, attracted to Luxembourg for what is a unique symposium, and to a broad public who can enjoy a series of events at different venues around the capital city. Curators Mike Koedinger, Jeremy Leslie and Andrew Losowsky first launched the event as part of Luxembourg’s reign as European Capital of Culture in 2007. The success of that first edition spurred them on to create the event as a biennale, a move that has met the approval of politicians at local and national level.

City Mayor Paul Helminger says the economic impact of having so many visitors staying in Luxembourg over a long weekend is not negligible. “But beyond the economic impact, it is the impact on our brand image and the promotion of the City of Luxembourg around the whole world that interests us,” Helminger said at the launch press conference on 5 February. Jean-Louis Schiltz, Minister for Communications, emphasised the role the event can play in developing Luxembourg as a centre of excellent for the media. “Colophon is a new illustration of the dynamism of the sector,” Schiltz said.

Host of the press conference was the Casino contemporary art forum which will act as base camp, so to speak, of Colophon 2009. The Casino’s director, Jo Kox, said he agreed immediately to host the second edition of the symposium. “The interdisciplinary aspect of the event, incorporating design, photography, graphics, street art, fits in with our programme,” he said. It is this diversity that makes Colophon so attractive to professionals and public alike. “Independent magazines are at the centre of innovation for print media,” says Mike Koedinger. While professionals attending the symposium will be treated to a series of lectures, round-table discussions, interview-format dialogues and a Pecha Kucha event, the public can take in a tour of different venues around the city. Mudam, Abbey Neumünster, the City History Museum and private galleries and shops will all be hosting Colophon exhibitions and events.

Koedinger and his team were congratulated on managing to maintain the scope and quality of the event in what are troubled times. “This is not a money-making venture, but something inspired by real passion,” says Koedinger. With a global budget of some 800,000 euros, the event relies on public funding to the tune of some 125,000 euros as well as private sponsorship and income from ticket sales and the revenue generated from the symposium’s book, this year titled We Make Magazines, which is itself a global reference work with a print run of 6,500 copies distributed internationally.

Colophon 2009 takes place from 13 to 15 March at 15 venues around Luxembourg City. A detailed programme of events and more information can be found at: www.colophon2009.com