France celebrates Asterix's 50th birthday

Paris, Oct 9: Asterix le Gaulois or Asterix the Gaul, one of the most adored comic character across the world turns 50 on Friday, Oct 9. While Asterix's birthplace France braces itself for a massive fete, people across the world remember the cunning Gaul and his adventures on his birthday.

Publisher Arnaud Noury who likened Asterix to the 'Eiffel Tower' at a press conference on Thursday, Oct 9 announced the anniversary plans. France will pay tribute to Asterix with a festival of concerts, exhibitions, artwork that will take over central Paris, and even an acrobatic display by elite fighter pilots from the air force.

Written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo, the French comic strips were published for the first time in 1959 in magazine Pilote.

The adventures of clever little Asterix accompanied by his rather mirthful friend Obelix were an instant hit when they were published and have managed to retain the same popularity even after half a century.

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