Meet Jean-Denis Gagnebin from the SLURP!! Festival

31 / 03 / 2026

SLURP!!: When Comic Art Meets Gastronomy in the Vallée du Trient

Since 2022, the Vallée du Trient has been hosting an extraordinary festival: SLURP!!, a unique artistic event that combines comic art and local cuisine. Held every odd-numbered year, the festival has quickly made its mark on the region, notably with initiatives such as Comics in Beehives, free micro-museums open all year round, and more.

The festival was created by Jean-Denis Gagnebin, supported by a local association of valley residents. A professional photographer, Jean-Denis Gagnebin is a Vaudois passionate about comics and in love with the Vallée du Trient. Splitting his time between Morges and Cergneux, in his family chalet dating from 1920, he drew on his past experience as technical director of the Lausanne festival BDFIL to create an event that attracts renowned artists every edition, such as Derib, Blutch, Haydé, Alex Baladi, and Marion Canevascini. And why this original name? “SLURP!!,” explains Jean-Denis, is an onomatopoeia evoking a dog slurping its soup, a symbol of both taste and conviviality.

Comics in Beehives: a playful and original idea

The festival gave birth to Comics in Beehives, an open-air exhibition transforming beehives into small humorous and interactive museums. It all started when a friend from Les Marécottes gifted Jean-Denis a beehive before leaving for the Netherlands. Installed in his family chalet garden, the first hive was inaugurated in 2023. Visitors can admire the artists’ works by peeking through the ventilation holes, day or night, for free.

Since 2023, several artists have contributed to the hives: Jean Solé, committed to beekeeping, then Isabelle Pralong, from Blutch, and in 2025 Haydé from Derib. This year, two new hives will be unveiled during the Night of Museums on November 7, 2026.

Unforgettable memories and unique experiences

Among the festival’s most memorable moments, Jean-Denis recalls the drawn karaoke, when around fifteen artists drew live, each taking turns along to a song. The atmosphere was joyful and creative.

Personal favorites

Jean-Denis is also enthusiastic about the Vallée du Trient itself: the Marécottes swimming pool, the Flotteur Trotteur, the Cergneux—his haven of peace—and the inns Vallon de Van and Van d’en haut are among his must-visit spots.

SLURP!!, with its mix of comics, gastronomy, and outdoor art, continues to surprise and delight visitors, offering a unique festival experience in the Vallée du Trient where creativity and conviviality are always at the heart. During the next edition in 2027, a drawn concert will take place again with an even more extraordinary concept!

Practical Information

Address: SLURP!!, Le Cergneux 23, 1923 Les Marécottes
Website: www.slurp-lesrencontres.ch