Children's Literature Fair 2024: How to Succeed in Bologna

Contents:

• How to become a participant in the Bologna fair for artists
• Winners of the Bologna Illustration Festival: achievements of Russian artists
• The importance of participation in the winners' catalog

How to become a participant in the Bologna Fair for artists

The Bologna Fair is a significant event for illustrators and authors of children's books, being an important stage in their careers. Participation in this event provides unique opportunities to enter international platforms held in countries such as Japan, China and South Korea. The fair promotes networking with industry professionals, expanding audiences, and promoting their work globally.

Winners of this prestigious event receive a unique opportunity to exhibit their work in museums, art galleries, and libraries. They also have the chance to be published in the annual catalog, which is available in several languages, including Italian, English, Japanese, and Chinese. This platform not only promotes the recognition of talented artists but also expands their international audience, an important step in the career of each participant.

The jury is renewed annually and includes five experts from various countries specializing in children's literature, illustration, and publishing. This ensures high standards of evaluation of the submitted works and facilitates a quality selection of the best works in the field of children's books. The professional experience of the jury members allows them to consider diverse cultural contexts and trends, enhancing the objectivity and fairness of the evaluation.

To participate, you must meet certain criteria. Illustrators must have been born before December 31, 2006, and their works must be focused on children's literature.

To participate, please complete an online form and submit five digital works. These works may be unpublished or published after January 1, 2022. Works executed in any technique, in both black-and-white and color, are eligible.

Please note that illustrations previously submitted to previous competitions will not be accepted. All works must be on the same theme, and files must be numbered. The minimum number of submitted works is five.

Illustrations included in the work must be free of text unrelated to the content of the work. For published materials, the ISBN number and information about the original publisher are required. Participation in the competition requires a fee of 22 euros.

You can submit your entries through the official website of the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Please ensure you comply with all requirements and recommendations provided on the website to increase your chances of successful participation.

Winners of the Bologna Illustration Festival: Achievements of Russian Artists

In 2021, the renowned Bologna Children's Book Fair selected six finalists from Russia from 136 applications submitted by illustrators. Among the winners were outstanding artists: Anna Desnitskaya, Katerina Gorelik, Elena Bulay, Tatyana Borisova, Olga Epikhina, and Lera Elunina. These talented illustrators presented unique works that have received international recognition. The success of Russian artists at the Bologna Fair underlines the high level of illustration in Russia and the importance of supporting children's literature.

Anna Desnitskaya is an illustrator and collagist from Moscow, a graduate of the Moscow State University of Printing Arts. She specializes in creating illustrations for children's literature, with an emphasis on non-fiction. In 2020, Anna published her book "Transsib. The Train Departs" with Samokat Publishing House, capturing unique moments from a journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Her works are distinguished by their vibrant style and attention to detail, making them sought-after in the illustration world. Anna is actively working on new projects, continuing to explore various techniques and approaches in her creative practice. This book presents not only historical facts but also unique personal stories, as well as recipes and practical tips on what to see along the route. All materials were compiled in collaboration with Alexander Litvin, author of "The History of an Old Apartment." This publication will be useful both for history buffs and for those who want to learn more about the culture and traditions of the region.

Anna's works attract attention and receive recognition in the art world. She has received numerous awards, including the 2023 Original Art Prize and the AOI International Illustration Prize in 2019 and 2022. Anna was also a finalist at the prestigious Illustrators' Fair in Bologna in 2019 and the Bratislava Biennale in 2017. These achievements highlight her talent and influence in the field of illustration.

In 2018, Anna received a nomination from Russia for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of authors creating literary works for children and young adults and emphasizes the importance of high-quality literary content for young audiences. Anna's nomination for this award recognizes her significant contribution to the development of children's literature and the recognition of her talent on the international stage.

Anna created a unique advent calendar design with charming hares, which reflects her creativity and passion for illustration. This project demonstrates her ability to combine artistic vision with functionality, making every day of anticipation special and memorable.

Lera Elunina, the 2021 winner, hails from Kaluga. She studied painting and graphics for six years at the Ivan Fedorov Moscow State University of Printing Arts. Her work is distinguished by a combination of unique styles and techniques, which has earned her a prominent place in the world of illustration. Lera's work attracts attention not only for its aesthetics but also for the depth of its concept, making her a significant figure in contemporary art.

In 2021, her illustrations were selected for the Bologna Children's Book Fair. This event underscores the significance of her work in the field of children's illustration. She also received the Ars in Fabula grant, which attests to the high level of her artistic skill and recognition in the professional community.

The Importance of Participating in the Winners' Catalog

Participation in the annual catalog of the Bologna Children's Book Fair is an important milestone for publishers and illustrators. This catalog attracts the attention of publishers from all over the world who are looking for original books and talented authors. Being included in this catalog significantly increases the chances of success and opens new opportunities for collaboration and promotion. For many participants, this is not only recognition of their work, but also a chance to make a name for themselves on the international stage of children's literature.

In 2022, 4,345 works from artists from 91 countries were submitted to the international competition. As a result, only 79 of them were recognized as winners. Among the awarded works were also the creations of two Russian artists - Ksenia Avramova from Barnaul and Paula Plavinskaya from Moscow, whose works were included in the prestigious competition catalog.

The 56th edition of the fair, held in 2022, featured 3,873 works by illustrators from 92 countries. Of these, 318 artists advanced to the finals, and an international jury selected the 78 best works. Among the talented artists whose illustrations were recognized were Maria Nesterenko, Tatyana Karchun, and Katya Gushchina. This event showcased the high quality and diversity of contemporary illustration on the international stage.

The Bologna Illustrators' Fair is a major event in the book industry, showcasing current trends and attracting professionals from all over the world. Participation in the fair is open to everyone, as no significant membership fees or affiliation with specific organizations are required. This creates a unique opportunity for illustrators, publishers, and art enthusiasts to exchange ideas and establish new contacts in the field of book illustration. The fair becomes a platform for presenting new works, discussing current topics, and finding inspiration, promoting creative initiatives in the fields of literature and art.

The fair provides a unique platform for artists and designers wishing to promote their work in the field of children's literature and illustration. Participation in this event opens the door to international recognition and allows the winners to draw attention to their work. This is a great opportunity for professionals looking to develop their careers and find new clients in this niche.