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Bologna Children’s Book Fair together with BolognaBookPlus in India, supporting the development of international publishing in the state of Tamil Nadu, from 16 to 18 January
Milano, January 13 2025
From 16 to 18 January 2025 Bologna’s mission to scout for new talent and make new connections around the world will be featuring in India, at the Chennai International Book Fair. At the third edition of the fair, which reflects one of the world’s fastest growing publishing markets, Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) will be taking part as the Organization Guest of Honour 2025. BCBF is also due to be awarded the CIBF Guest of Honour Award of Global Literary Advocacy, recognition for the fair’s “exceptional contribution to children’s literature and intercultural literary exchange by promoting creativity, innovation and international collaboration in the field of children’s publishing. By supporting diverse voices and promoting access to quality literature for young readers, Bologna Children’s Book Fair has significantly enriched the global literary landscape, setting an exemplary standard for the international literary community.”
Held in the state of Tamil Nadu, characterised by its own language and culture, and organised by the Ministry of School Education of the Tamil Nadu government, the Chennai International Book Fair is one of a number of initiatives launching phase that will see the state open up and become more international. This year, for the first time, the fair will also host pavilion dedicated entirely to literature for children and young people, with the aim of stimulating debate about this area of publishing.
In this sense, BCBF’s involvement brings a special value as a bridge for intercultural dialogue, the exchange of ideas and synergies that are all crucial for children’s literature and for the future of the new generations. Furthermore, there is a historical connection that unites Tamil Nadu and Italy that can be traced back to over three hundred years ago, when the Italian Costantino Giuseppe Beschi created the first lexicon of the Tamil language: a relationship that therefore speaks of dialogue, mutual learning and respect for linguistic and cultural traditions.
In Chennai, BCBF accompanied by BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus) – the brand extension of BCBF specifically for generalist publishers and produced in collaboration with the Association of Italian Publishers (AIE) – will host in its exhibition space a selection of books from those that have won or received Special Mentions at the BolognaRagazzi Awards over the years. The space will also feature a reproduction of the exhibition From Illustration to Comics. Pencils in Talented Young Hands, providing a window onto contemporary Italian illustration, a veritable artistic scene of excellence, through the works of thirty young illustrators, curated by Accademia Drosselmeier/Giannino Stoppani Cooperativa Sociale and organised by BolognaFiere/Bologna Children’s Book Fair/BolognaBookPlus with the collaboration of AIE. Completing the programme will be three panel discussions about key topics in today’s book industry and publishing fair scene.
