Pink Bunny Boy, Nick Cave. Photo by James Prinz, Chicago, Coutesy of the Artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York

Parade, exhibitions, metamorphoses, design, cinema, theatre, circus, dance, concerts, Performances, clubbing, literature, comic books, meetings, workshops, cuisine…
From 6 October 2012 to 13 January 2013, Lille and Eurometropole will set their clocks to a Fantastic time!

When strolling around Lille and the surrounding areas, you will be confronted with surnatural, marvellous and strange phenomena, as a way to outdo reality and turn it into something completely different. At the corner of a street, behind secret doors in Tripostal or Gare Saint Sauveur, in museums, maisons Folies...
Challenge your sixth sense! You might discover parallel worlds, some of them poetic, others high tech. A simple walk may turn into a fantastic tale.

OPENING PARADE 6 October 2012
On 6 October, the now famous opening parade will be the launch of a new theme edition, following the Bombaysers de Lille and Europe XXL traditions: worlds where strange events meet psychic phenomena, where a metamorphosed city will outgrow its regular standards to become... FANTASTIC.
Above all, FANTASTIC is a big party, gathering every inhabitant of the region: they will be an audience to the show as well as participating, making the heart of the metropolis beat faster for three whole months.
lille3000, the voyage goes on...

Guided by Surrational, Nick Cave’s disheveled giant creature, you will marvel at all the special effects and the huge inflatable structures, which will be part of the Parade. The orchestre national de lille, conducted by Jean-Claude Casadesus, will play Ravel’s Boléro. Brass bands including more than 300 musicians, from all around the Lille metropolis, from Flanders and from the Walloon region of Belgium, will play their repertoires as well as a new version of the Boléro, created especially for the Parade by Belgian composer Bart Picqueur.
Meet us at square Foch et Dutilleul and Quai du Wault, where amazing fireworks are ready to go off. Get ready to see DJs and VJs bring life an enormous dance floor to life.
Fireworks, mascleta, fantastic mist and strange creatures: all these will be the ingredients to a supernatural cocktail to share all night long!
CREATE YOUR OWN FANTASTIC COSTUME!
For the opening parade, get your own fanciful evening costume: come dressed up as a Venusian, a super hero or as a heroic fantasy character...

EXHIBITIONS

PHANTASIA
Tripostal, Lille – 06 October 2012 > 13 January 2013

FANTASTIC ATTRACTIONS
Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille – 06 October 2012 > 13 January 2013

FUTUROTEXTILES 3
Ceti (L’Union, Tourcoing – 13 October > 30 December 2012

FABLES OF THE FLEMISH LANDSCAPE IN THE 16TH CENTURY
Palais des Beaux-Arts – 05 October 2012 > 14 January 2013

BABEL
Palais des Beaux-Arts – 08 June 2012 > 14 January 2013

LA VILLE MAGIQUE
LaM, Villeneuve d’Ascq - 29 September > 30 December 2012

CHAGALL
La Piscine, Roubaix - 13 October 2012 > 06 January 2013

SCIENCE ET FICTION
Maison Folie Wazemmes, Lille – 06 October 2012 > 13 January 2013

ARTWORK SELECTION FROM THE THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA FOUNDATION
Le Fresnoy, Tourcoing - 06 October 2012 > 31 December 2012

More info on www.fantastic2012.com