Saturday, 29.03-Sunday, 13.04
PALAZZO D`ACCURSIO (Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna)
CITTADINI CREATIVI
CREATIVE CITIZENS
ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION
What kinds of lives would a book’s characters live if they could escape its covers? Would they create their own city, form a community on a modern-day spaceship, or lounge on the lawn in a peaceful suburb? Cittadini Creativi encourages visitors to bring pictures to life; to see and create fantastical stories around us, as stories and characters are the very things that make our inner and outer galaxies exponentially richer.
Featured Estonian illustrators include: Katrin Ehrlich, Heiki Ernits, Anu Kalm, Kristi Kangilaski, Tiiu Kitsik, Karel Korp, Liisa Kruusmägi, Kadri-Maria Külaots, Madli Lavin, Regina Lukk-Toompere, Lumimari, Viive Noor, Sirly Oder, Eiko Ojala, Triin Paumer, Anne Pikkov, Marja-Liisa Plats, Priit Pärn, Piret Raud, Jaan Rõõmus, Ulla Saar, Pamela Samel, Elina Sildre, Joonas Sildre, Kertu Sillaste, Marju Tammik, Reda Tomingas, Kristina Tort, and Catherine Zarip.
The animators are: Liisi Grünberg, Jaakop Ivask, Lyza Järvis, Uku Jürgenson, Rebeka Kruus, Elise Kruusel, Ida Lepparu, Kaimar Lomp, Cristo Madissoo, Eiko Ojala, Rael Pikkel, Piret Potter, Maria Rakitina, Lilli-Krõõt Repnau, Mia Rulli, Stella Salumaa, Kadi Sink, Kelly Tõnurist, and Elli Zahradnikova.
Curator: Bianka Soe
Designers: Karin Tõugu and Triin Vaino (b210)
Graphic designer: Stuudio Stuudio
Technical Production: Enno Innos, Hannes Kadak, Taivo Tõkke, Oskar Pruus
Producers: Estonian Children’s Literature Centre, Estonian Publishers’ Association
Supporters: Ministry of Culture of Estonia, Estonian Embassy in Rome, Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Municipality of Bologna, Hamelin
Thank you: Lilli-Krõõt Repnau and Telliskivi Creative City
The Cittadini Creativi, Estonian illustration exhibition is part of the Estonia – Guest of Honour at Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025 programme.
Opening hours (Palazzo d`Accursio, Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna):
Monday closed
Tuesday-Thursday 9:00-18:30
Friday 15:00-18:30
Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:30
Monday, 31.03-Thursday, 3.04
SERVICES CENTRE
“HELLO!/TERE!“ ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION
The exhibition Hello!/Tere! opens the door to the world of contemporary Estonian illustration, highlighting works’ ornate details, playful use of colour, and technical mastery. Featured here are 40 artists with a devotion to storytelling, creating original characters, and a more liberal creative approach nuanced by global trends. These influences have brought along a diversification of styles, an originality of emphases, and experimental modes of expression. Significant shifts can also be seen in the design and form of Estonian children’s books, in which image and text are increasingly interwoven and play an equal role in conveying the story. We also have many of our own wordless picture books in which the illustrations perform the role of storyteller independently.
Participating illustrators: Katrin Ehrlich, Heiki Ernits, Kadri Ilves, Alvar Jaakson, Katrin Kaev, Anu Kalm, Kristi Kangilaski, Kirke Kangro, Tiiu Kitsik, Tuulike Kivestu, Karel Korp, Liisa Kruusmägi, Kadi Kurema, Anne Linnamägi, Regina Lukk-Toompere, Lumimari, Jüri Mildeberg, Anni Mäger, Gerda Märtens, Viive Noor, Sirly Oder, Anne Pikkov, Marja-Liisa Plats, Olga Pärn, Priit Pärn, Piret Raud, Priit Rea, Jaan Rõõmus, Ulla Saar, Stella Salumaa, Margit Saluste, Pamela Samel, Elina Sildre, Joonas Sildre, Kertu Sillaste, Catherine Zarip, Marju Tammik, Reda Tomingas, Kristina Tort, Urmas Viik.
Opening of the exhibition will take place on Monday, 31.03 at 17:00 – 18:30.
Monday, 31.03-Thursday, 3.04
BOLOGNA BOOK PLUS AREA (The Mall, Hall 29)
“TALKING PICTURES – AN EXHIBITION AND EXPLORATION OF VISUAL BOOKS 2025: ESTONIA“
Talking Pictures event examines the cultural significance and evolving impact of contemporary international visual books. This year, the spotlight is on Estonia, the Bologna Guest of Honour. The programme includes a curated showcase, a jury discussion, and a seminar that will bring together industry experts to explore Estonia’s unique contributions to visual storytelling.
The exhibition showcases 100 winning books from the 25 Best-Designed Estonian Books competition over the past four years (2021–2024). The competition highlights excellence in book design, valuing both artistic quality and printing craftsmanship while emphasizing the harmony between form and content.
The winning publications participate in the Best Book Design from All Over the World competition in Leipzig, the Baltic Best-Designed Books competition, and a selection is also exhibited at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The National Library of Estonia curates an exhibition of the year’s best-designed books, which are displayed in various libraries across Estonia and, upon request and interest, also elsewhere.
Monday, 31.03-Thursday, 3.04
ESTONIA – GUEST OF HONOUR STAND (Hall 30/E8-F5)
“BEST-DESIGNED ESTONIAN CHILDREN´S BOOKS“
This exhibition presents the winning children’s books from the 25 Best-Designed Children’s Books competition held in Estonia, from 2020 to 2024. The selection highlights outstanding book design, showcasing excellence in illustration, typography, and printing quality. The Best-Designed Children’s Books competition has been organized annually since 1998. Its aim is to highlight illustrated children’s books as a significant cultural phenomenon. The competition takes place alongside the 25 Best-Designed Estonian Books competition.
Both competitions are organized by the National Library of Estonia, the Estonian Publishers’ Association, the Estonian Graphic Designers Association, the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre, and the Association of Estonian Printing and Packaging Industry.
Monday, 31.03-Thursday, 3.04
ESTONIA – GUEST OF HONOUR STAND (Hall 30/E8-F5)
“THE BEST ESTONIAN CHILDREN´S BOOKS OF ALL TIME“
This exhibition showcases a small selection of classic Estonian children`s literature, accompanied by the catalogue “The Best Estonian Children`s Books of All Time“, which has been put together by Estonian Children`s Literature Centre.
Monday, 31.03-Thursday, 3.04
COMICS CORNER
“ESTONIAN COMICS SHOWCASE“
This exhibition showcases a variety of Estonian comics from the last decades. Although still young and evolving, Estonian comics have secured a place on the bookshelves of children and young readers. From Karl August Hindrey’s illustrated verse stories to modern graphic novels, Estonian comic art offers exciting stories and a unique visual style.
