Aril 8 to 11, the annual Bologna Children's Book Fair is taking place in Bologna, Italy, with the participation of Latvian publishers and children's book authors. Latvia's presence at the book fair is curated by the "Latvian Literature" platform.
The highlight for Latvia in this year's Fair is Latvian artist Aleksandra Runde and the award she's received in the "Opera Prima" category for the best debut in children's literature from the Bologna Ragazzi Awards (BRAW). The awarded book is "What to do if you are naked in a city" (published by "Jāņa Rozes apgāds"), for which she is the creator of the idea, design, text, and illustrations. Before the award ceremony, on April 8 at 3:10 pm, there will be a discussion at the "Book Lovers' Café" (Gallery Hall 25-25) where Latvia will be represented by her publisher Renāte Punka, from the publishing house "Jānis Roze'.
"In the most recent years, children's literature and book illustrations have proven to be one of Latvia's strongest publishing sectors. This award is not only a great honor but also motivation for all of us to continue working so that our children's literature reaches more readers worldwide," says Ildze Jansone from the Latvian Literature platform.
Additionally, a symbolic bookshelf called "The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf" will be set up at the Fair featuring the top 100 submissions for the BolognaRagazzi Award. This year, two Latvian authors are included: Egīls Zirnis with "Kas notiek Zoodārzā naktī" (illustrated by Svens Neilands, published by "Liels un mazs") and Māris Rungulis with "En den dīno šoko loko tīno" (illustrated by Reinis Pētersons, published by "Liels un mazs").
During the Fair the annual illustrators exhibition takes place. With initial submissions from 3 520 authors from 81 countries, just 78 authors from 31 countries are included, Latvia is represented by Latvian children's book artist Elīna Brasliņa who has been selected to showcase her work.
On April 9 at 5:00 pm, the reception at the Latvian National stand will take place (Hall no. 30, stand E14-F13), supported by the Latvian Embassy in Italy, publishing house "Jelgavas tipogrāfija" , and "Liels un mazs" publishing house, which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary during the Fair this year.
Publishers represented are "Liels un mazs," "Pētergailis," "Zvaigzne ABC," "Jāņa Rozes apgāds," "Baltais Valis," "Droši un Koši," "Aminori," "Latvijas Mediji," as well as the company "Jelgavas tipogrāfija" and the Art Academy of Latvia. Several children's book authors from Latvia are also attending, including Elīna Brasliņa, Signe Viška, Anna Vaivare, Rebeka Lukošus, Agnese Vanaga, and Zane Zusta.
The visual concept of the Latvian stand in Bologna is aligned with the aesthetics of the Latvian Literature export campaign #iamintrovert, the illustrations has been created by the artist Reinis Pētersons and the stand is designed by Jānis Mercs.
