Discover the behind-the-scenes look at the 2023 Hagetmau festival poster

Every year, as the Hagetmau festivities approach in the Landes region, there is an eagerly awaited tradition: the arrival of the official feria poster.

More than just a visual announcing the event, this poster is a distillation of creativity that immerses you in the heart of the festivities. It is therefore with a mixture of enthusiasm and pride that I invite you behind the scenes of this captivating creation.

A creation born from a poster competition

This creation by Pitchoun Illustration was born from participation in a poster competition organized by the festival committee of the town of Hagetmau .

The only guidelines for 2023 were that the poster had to depict Landes and Spanish bullfighting and include the titles "Feria du Novillo" and "Hagetmau 2023." Each participating artist was free to represent the Hagetmau fair within this framework.

For my part, I wanted to represent the cavalcade, this essential parade of floats and bandas that animates the streets of Hagetmau. I was therefore inspired by the decor of the rue des arènes where this parade usually ends.

I created this poster so that the audience would be immersed in the heart of the festive scene. In the foreground, a banda is playing music behind a float decorated with a matador, a Landes bullfighter, and a bull—three symbols of Landes and Spanish bullfighting.

A thoughtful creative process

My goal was to showcase Hagetmau. So I started with a photo of the Rue des Arènes, which I used as a basis for the poster's design.

Once this set was created, I designed the float, the bandas as well as the public to bring the poster to life.

The final step was choosing the colors. If you know me, you know I tend to work with soft, soothing colors. But when it comes to the Hagetmau festivities, the festive spirit had to shine through. So I decided to combine my usual pastel shades with brighter ones for a magical result, bringing a festive glow while maintaining that soothing touch that's so dear to my heart. The goal was clear: to infuse the poster with a joyful and welcoming atmosphere, while still allowing my artistic signature to shine through.

Work completed in consultation with the Hagetmau festival committee

At the end of the competition, my proposal was chosen as the official poster for the 2023 Hagetmau fair by the festival committee. From there, our collaboration began. 

In consultation, we have adjusted certain visual elements to ensure an optimal presentation. The colors of the arenas have been modified to create a more striking contrast with the surrounding scenery. The titles have also been reworked in terms of color and typography for optimal readability from a distance.

A poster that makes you smile

After all this work, all that was left was to reveal this poster to you, perhaps the most difficult step for me :D

Indeed, presenting such a creation to an audience attached to the official ferias poster is a challenge. But, it is with a mixture of happiness and pride that I welcomed all your positive feedback.