FROM 26 NOVEMBER TO 4 DECEMBER, AT THE FERIA INTERNACIONAL DEL LIBRO DE GUADALAJARA, THE FOURTH AND FINAL STOP OF THE INTERNATIONAL GRAND TOUR OF BOLOGNA CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR

After the success of the first edition in 2021, The Bologna Grand Tour of premium publishing trade fairs is back. Developed in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency promoting the internationalization of Italian companies, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with the aim of furthering the fair’s global reach and promoting new international publishing opportunities, the 2022 Grand Tour is also an opportunity to launch the celebrations to mark the 60^th edition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair – scheduled from 6–9 March 2023 – to be held in conjunction with its brand extension – BolognaBookPlus – dedicated to general trade publishing and developed in partnership with the Italian Publishers’ Association (AIE), and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids.

After stops at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) – where Italy was Guest Country of Honour – the Grand Tour is currently at the Salon du Livre de Montréal (from 23 to 27 November). The fourth and final stop will be at the Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara, from 26 November to 4 December.

Bologna Children’s Book Fair has a broad raft of events also lined up for Mexico. BCBF’s booth (International Area Stand HH7) will be hosting three exhibitions featuring Italian publishing and illustration excellence. Special guided tours of the exhibitions are scheduled for the fair’s international public. The programme curated by Mimaster Illustrazione in partnership with BCBF includes a special “on tour” edition of the Illustrator’s Survival Corner – one of the most sought-after spaces of every BCBF edition. The Corner will be facilitated by professionals operating on the national and international illustrated-publishing scene; they will also be involved in an exciting programme of masterclasses, workshops, portfolio reviews and “Ask Me Anything” sessions catering for young professionals wishing to broaden their skills and understanding of the world of illustration. On hand to answer questions will be: Andrés López, illustrator (Mexico), Cristiano Guerri, Art Director, Feltrinelli (Italy), Philip Giordano, illustrator (Italy), Anna Castagnoli, children’s book author, illustrator and critic (Italy), Martina Recchiuti, Editor-in-chief of Internazionale Kids (Italy), Peggie Espinosa, designer and publisher, Petra Ediciones (Mexico), Dolores Prades, consultant and publisher, Instituto Emília and Estúdio Seringueira (Brazil), and Monica Bergna, publisher of Alboroto (Mexico).

On 29 November, the Round Table curated by Instituto Emilia “How Books Open Up New Worlds and Welcome New Readers” will look at how children’s literature can bridge the gap between young readers and the problems of our time, and help the many, often invisible, children living on the margins of society gain not only visibility but also self-esteem. Discussants include: Marìa Osorio, founder of the Colombian Association of Independent Booksellers (Colombia), Lola Larra, author and publisher, Ediciones Ekaré (Chile), Vélia Vidal, writer and reading promoter (Colombia), author Ana Romero (Mexico), and Dolores Prades, consultant and publisher, Instituto Emília and Estúdio Seringueira (Brazil).

Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids will be presenting some Made-in-Italy case studies showing how illustrations can lend a magical touch to fashion and children’s games – and at the same time extend the illustrator’s market beyond the world of books.

Last but not least, BolognaBookPlus will also be on hand to present the novelties ad opportunities lined up for Bologna 2023 at a special networking event together with BCBF and BLTF/K on Wednesday 30 November at 6 p.m. at The Westin Guadalajara.

The PR and Communications firm Laboratorio delle Idee has again been involved in this stage of our Bologna Grand Tour.

Details of the three exhibitions:

“Out of Silence. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, narrating through wordless books” – curated by Accademia Drosselmeier and dedicated to Italian silent books, one of the most interesting children’s publishing trends in recent years. The 39 books on display are by some of the historical greats of illustration but also by the latest generation of Italian authors and illustrators. Reaching beyond language and age barriers, wordless picture books encourage children to tell their own stories, and so stimulate their individual creativity and ability to interpret the world.

“A glimpse at Italian Illustration. A selection from the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition” – the works of 20 of the most interesting Italian illustrators selected for the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition in recent years, whose careers were launched by BCBF’s flagship exhibition. For over 50 years, the Illustrator Exhibition has indeed been bringing the new best trends in illustration to the attention of the professional public of the Fair, setting the path for international children’s publishing. Among the illustrators whose works the exhibition features: Sarah Mazzetti, Gaia Stella and Andrea Antinori.

“Cattivi/Villains” – great illustrators like Noma Bar, Brad Holland, Katsumi Komagata, Libero Gozzini, William Grill, Federico Maggioni, Lorenzo Mattotti, Emiliano Ponzi, Peter Sìs and Olimpia Zagnoli were asked to search through their drawers and digital archives for a villain they had tackled in their careers as illustrators. The result is a marvellous gallery of ‘the villains’ who have accompanied the professional lives of longstanding illustrators or artists just starting out. The exhibition is curated by Mimaster Illustrazione. Shown also at Guadalajara, the exhibition comprises a selection of the most renowned villains – from our history books, movies or literature – chosen from the over 140 ‘villains’ sent in by the illustrators taking part in the project.

Participation in the activities and guided tours is free of charge. All participants must, however, register and book an appointment or a place on a tour at: https://www.eventbrite.it/cc/guadalajara-feria-internacional-del-libro-24259.