On the occasion of the Universal Exposition that will take place in Milan (Italy) in 2015 and with reference to its theme ’Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’, Parco Nord Milano in collaboration with Star Comics Publishing are pleased to announce the opening of Medhelan International Cover Contest.

This international competition aims to design the official cover of the graphic novel 'Medhelan - The fabulous story of a land', which recounts the story of Milan and its land. The work, published by Star Comics Publishing House and translated into five languages (English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese), will be presented in Milan in world première during the Expo 2015 in the month of June 2015.

“Medhelan” was Milan’s original Celtic name and it meant “sacred city”. The graphic novel recounts, with an immediate and compelling style, the history of Milan and its land: from the foundation by the Celts to the Roman conquest; from the Barbarian invasions to the struggle for the Duchy; from the flagellum of the plague to the industrial age; from the two World Wars to the post-industrial age, when, at the end of the 60’s of the last century, the ambitious and revolutionary project to create an urban park was launched, intended as an action to recover the biodiversity that the land had always possessed and lost over the millennia.

The aim is to raise awareness and to popularise the history of the land where Milan, host of Expo 2015, was founded reinforcing the celebratory character that the Universal Exposition sets out as its primal goal, together with the purpose of leaving a lasting contribution for the future.

The design of the Cover shall be understood as the free expression of the designer’s creativity. The contest is therefore open to all kinds of art and drawings (abstract, symbolic, realistic, etc.), through the use of any technique, color, black & white, or both.

Entry fee: Euro 20 (approx. 25 USD).

Eligibility

Participation is open to all artists, painters and graphic designers, professionals and non- professionals of both genders, residing in any part of the world, provided that they have reached the age of majority in their country of origin.

In the case of a minor, the participation is permitted only in partnership, provided that the group referent has reached the age of majority.

Prize

The prize awarded to the winner consists of the publication of the graphic novel with the winning Cover by Star Comics Publishing, both in Italian language for paper distribution in Italy (news-stands, bookstores, comics shops) and for the e-book versions available on web platforms in the following languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.

Moreover, the winner will receive a cash prize of Euro 1.000 (approx. 1,245 USD) and travel expenses covered for a round trip, room and board in a hotel in Milan for three days during the world premiere of The Work within the Expo 2015, providing the badges to visit the Universal Exhibition. The award ceremony will be held on the same day of the official world premiere of the graphic novel.