THE 61ST BCBF - CHINESE EXCELLENCE IN CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATION

For some years now an important bond has been developing between China and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. BolognaFiere, in fact, has become co-organiser of the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) while this year sees the arrival of a new series of exhibitions focusing on contemporary Chinese illustrators.

Announced last November at CCBF, Chinese Excellence in Children’s Illustration, organised by BCBF/BolognaFiere, China South Publishing & Media Group Co. Ltd, and Sidee Cultural Communication Co. Ltd, aims to showcase the talents of Chinese illustrators by presenting an annual selection of the best works by both well-known and unpublished contemporary artists.

In its role as a bridge for cultural exchange and promoter of the children’s publishing industry worldwide, BCBF has helped spark an extraordinary development of Chinese illustrated books. This new and original production stands out on the international scene for its fusion of traditional Oriental aesthetics and modern multicultural voices resulting from the country’s extensive economic and intellectual exchanges. The Chinese Excellence in Children’s Illustration project thus serves to support this development, taking its inspiration from BCBF’s “Italian Excellence” exhibition series, which held its fourth edition in 2023 and has been presented successfully in more than 50 countries during various international tours.

The initiative will take place annually and will feature a jury of Chinese and international experts in publishing and illustration.

This year’s jury members were: Anna Castagnoli (author, illustrator, Italy), Debbie Bibo (literary agent, USA-Italy) and Loïc Boyer (graphic designer, research associate at the InTRu laboratory of the University of Tours, member of the editorial board of the Revue des livres pour enfants, France), Hai Fei (writer and publisher, former Vice-President of the Publishers Association of China and President of IBBY China, China), Wang Lijun (Curator of the China Picture Book Fair and the Zhang Leping Picture Book Award, China), Zhang Mingzhou (Executive Director of the Publishers Association of China, China) and Yang Zhong (PhD, Associate Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Director of the Department of Culture and Urbanism at the School of Urban Design and the Picture Book Creation Workshop, China).

The exhibition, which features the works of all 15 finalists, is on display for the first time during the 61^st edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and can also be viewed online on the BCBF Galleries portal, accessible from the BCBF website during the days of the fair, from 8 to 11 April.

The jury is presenting its selection to the public at the event “Meeting with the Chinese Excellence in Children’s Illustration Exhibition 2024 Jury” (8 April, Illustrators Café, 1.30-2.30 pm). The meeting is followed by a guided tour of the exhibition (8 April, Hall 30, 2.45-3.30pm). Both events are held in cooperation with China Publishers, organiser of the

focus session “Data Release and Case Analysis of the Chinese Children’s Book Market” (8 April, Authors Café, 3.30-4.20 pm).

A bilingual catalogue in English and Chinese, including contributions from the jury members, will bring together the exhibited works. Each successive edition of the publication will thus contribute to building a broad overview of contemporary Chinese illustration, providing the international community with a deeper understanding of this country’s immense cultural heritage. After opening at BCBF, the exhibition will embark on a long tour to numerous venues around the world.

For firther info bolognachildrensbookfair.com