The stories we tell have the power to convey knowledge, connect communities, spread joy, and to inspire. The stories we tell stimulate the imagination, grant access to hidden parts of the mind, foster creativity, and reinforce shared values. We spent a year immersed in storytelling, ‘catching’ the stories of others. At times, our own stories resonated with those of people we knew so little about: Roma, Ashkali, migrant children. During these encounters, beautiful interactions unfolded: Older participants delved into the world of comics for the first time, something they never before experienced.

The objective of this project was never solely to create a book, but to circulate and echo these stories in various European cities. They found their place adorning the walls of public spaces in Prague, Amsterdam, and Ljubljana, evoking thoughts and dreams that transcend the limitations of paper. But now, indeed, there is a book. This is because the stories can be made into comics. The book is divided into two parts. Part one showcases the outcomes of comic residencies in the five partner cities, alongside stories from the marginalized groups. Part two is a remix. We turn the stories around, intertwining them in new ways. How do they resonate as performances? How does time manifest in a comic narrative, and what happens when perspectives or settings shift? How do we see ourselves within comics? We are grateful for the contributions of some acclaimed European comics scholars, who took the time to reflect on the themes of our projects and residencies.

Remix Comix is about forging new, transnational communities of storytellers. After one year of remixing, we haven’t authored a new heritage, and this book is not the final step of the Remix Comix project. It’s a beginning.

Guido van Hengel, editor