No country (especially no European country) can fight off globalization, and France makes no exception. Dan Brown sells more than Alexandre Dumas, Hollywood movies make no room anymore for the nuvelle vague and so on. But it seems that there is still one cultural value that France still holds on to. We are talking about Asterix and Obelix, the two Gauls that everybody loves.

According to “The Independent”, the Asterix and Obelix comic book characters are France’s single most profitable literary export. Today’s Google Doodle marks the Asterix and Obelix 50′th anniversary.

Asterix and Obelix first comic book appearance took place on October 29, 1959 in the Pilote magazine.

Asterix and Obelix 50'th Anniversary Celebrated By The New Google

A series of expositions and other events are planned for this special occasion. Asterix and Obelix fans are also in for a treat asan anniversary comic book will also be released today: The Birthday of Asterix and Obelix: The Golden Book.

Asterix and Obelix comic books sold more than 352 million copies around the world and have been translated in 107 languages.