At the Fair
Changes to the programme may occur
Monday, 31.03
ILLUSTRATORS CAFÉ (Services Centre)
Time: 11:00–12:30
OPENING CEREMONY OF BOLOGNA CHILDREN`S BOOK FAIR, BOLOGNA BOOK PLUS, BOLOGNA LICENCING TRADE FAIR/KIDS, ESTONIA GUEST OF HONOUR 2025
Attending: President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, Estonian writers, illustrators and publishers. Musical performance by Silver Sepp (EST).
CONTENT CAFÉ (Hall 30)
Time: 13:30–14:20
BOYS WILL BE BOYS?
Participating: Writers Ilmar Tomusk and Anti Saar and reading promoter-teacher, IBBY member of the board in Cyprus Charalambos Demetriou (CYP).
Theme: Are there differences writing to the boys or to the girls? Do boys read less? What must the stories be like to attract young male readers?
Moderator: Stefan Boonen – writer (BEL)
TRANSLATORS CAFÉ (Hall 30)
Time: 15:00–16:00
JOHN THE SKELETON: AN INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL TREASURE
Participating: Publisher from Liels uns mazs Alīse Nīgale (LAT), editor Federico Appel from Sinnos (ITA) and writer Triinu Laan (EST). Video participants: publisher from Cesta Domu Adéla Procházková (CZE), publisher from Restless Books Jennifer Alise Drew (USA).
Theme: What are the difficulties translating from a language spoken by relatively few people? What is the X-factor that book must have to be noticed?
Moderator: Stephanie Barrouillet – foreign rights agent from S.B.Rights Agency (ISR)
ESTONIAN GUEST OF HONOUR AREA (SERVICES CENTRE)
Time: 17:00–18:15
OPENING OF THE ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION “HELLO! TERE!”
Tuesday, 1.04
ILLUSTRATORS CAFÉ (Services Centre)
Time: 9:30–10:10
ART ON THE ROAD: THE ROLE OF RESIDENCY IN AN ILLUSTRATOR´S CREATIVE JOURNEY
Participating: Illustrators Lucia Carlini (ITA), Greta Alice (LIT ), Pamela Samel (EST).
Theme: A unique experience for an art residency in a small country`s border town. Does the environment and collaboration with the local community influence the outcome of one`s creative work, and if so, to what extent?
Moderator: Anne Pikkov –vice rector for academic affairs and visiting professor from Estonian Academy of Arts, illustrator (EST)
Time: 10:15–10:55
THE ROADMAP TO READERS: GUIDING AUTHORS AND BOOKS TO CHILDREN
Participating: Director of Estonian Children´s Literature Center, Triin Soone (EST); language specialist of Eastern European Children’s Literature, Dr. Katja Wiebe (GER); Acting Head of the Children’s And Youth Literature Center, Justinas Vancevičius (LTU).
Theme: What are the working principles and funding models of various organizations promoting children’s literature, writers and illustrators?
Moderator: Tuulike Kivestu – illustrator/journalist (EST)
Time: 11:00–11:40
CHILDREN´S MAGAZINES- UNIQUE SPRINGBOARD
Participating: Chief editor of Täheke Ilona Martson (EST), chief editor of Geco Muriel Rathje (GER) and communication manager of Raketa Petra Novikova (CZE).
Theme: Children’s magazines as a unique stepping stone for aspiring writers and artists. They are a child’s first reading material, an introduction to the works of various authors.
Moderator: Kairi Look – writer (EST)
Time: 11:45–12:30
WHOSE FAULT IS THIS?: EXPLORING THE BACKGROUND OF COOPERATION
Participating: Illustrator Regina Lukk-Toompere (EST), writer Davide Calì (ITA), publisher Valentina Mai from KITE Edizioni (ITA) and publisher Takako Totsuka-Mizuno from Green Seed Books (JAP).
Theme: Exploring the background of cooperation between Estonian illustrator and world famous writer.
Moderator: Tuulike Kivestu – illustrator/journalist (EST)
ESTONIAN GUEST OF HONOUR AREA (SERVICES CENTRE)
Time: 13:00–13:20
ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION SAYS “HELLO! TERE!”
Short introduction of the exhibition.
NEXT CHAPTER CAFÉ (Hall 29)
Time: 13:30–14:20
READING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: HOW CAN WE INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION?
Participating: Digital literacy expert Janari Lage (EST), chief of strategy officer at the Beat Technology Nathan Hull (NOR), member of Gen Z Triin Sooäär (EST).
Theme: In a world where screens command our attention, how can we make books and reading appeal to today`s youth? This panel will explore the role of parents, educators, and authors in shaping young readers`experiences and habits.
Moderator: Inger Klesment – media literacy expert (EST)
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (Hall 30)
Time: 15:00–15:30
MEET THE AUTHOR: KRISTI KANGILASKI (EST)
THE ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER (Hall 30)
Time: 15:15–16:00
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOOK
Participating: writer and chief editor of children´s magazine Hea laps Kätlin Vainola (EST), illustrator Kertu Sillaste (EST), publisher Ida Antonella Passarelli from Sinnos (ITA).
Theme: Creative writing and illustration hobby classes. What are the possibilities for creative activities with children by using your professional skills and your own books? Exploring the perspectives of a writer, illustrator, and publisher.
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (HALL 30)
Time: 15:30–16:00
MEET THE AUTHOR: ANU KALM (EST)
ILLUSTRATORS CAFÉ (Services Centre)
Time: 16:00–16:40
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: THE CHILDREN’S VERSION | UNICEF
Participating: authors/illustrators, including Kristi Kangilaski (EST) and publishers.
Theme: Authors/illustrators and publishers all over the world read one of the articles of the convention.
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (HALL 30)
Time: 16:00–16:30
MEET THE AUTHOR: PILLE KANNISTO (EST)
Time: 16:30–17:00
MEET THE AUTHOR: REELI REINAUS (EST)
Wednesday, 2.04
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (Hall 30)
Time: 11:00–11:30
MEET THE AUTHOR: TRIINU LAAN (EST)
BBPLUS THEATRE (Hall 29 Mall 1)
Time: 11:00–11:30
OPPORTUNITIES IN POLAND, ESTONIA AND NORWAY
Participating: Deputy director of Polish Book Institute Agnieszka Rasińska-Bóbr (POL), director of Estonian Literature Centre Ilvi Liive-Roosipuu (EST).
Theme: Bestseller trends & translation rights – what’s selling and what’s next. A snapshot of literature trends in the market.
Moderator: Nerrilee Weir, Bold Type Agency (AUS)
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (Hall 30)
Time: 11:30–12:00
MEET THE AUTHOR: KERTU SILLASTE (EST)
BBPLUS THEATRE (Hall 29 Mall 1)
Time: 11:30–12:00
INSIDE THE MARKET: WHAT POLISH, ESTONIAN, AND NORWEGIAN PUBLISHERS ARE BUYING AND HOW TO SELL TRANSLATION RIGHTS TO THEM
Participating: Member of the board of the Polish Chamber of Books, co-owner of Widnokrąg Publishing House Anna Nowacka-Devillard (POL), managing editor and member of the board, Koolibri Publishers, member of the board, Estonian Publishers’ Association Kadri Rahusaar (EST)
Theme: What genres and languages Polish, Estonian and Norwegian publishers are buying rights for and how should rights sellers approach publishers?
Moderator: Nerrilee Weir, Bold Type Agency (AUS)
NEXT CHAPTER CAFÉ (Hall 29)
Time: 11:30–12.20
THE BIG BOOK OF PI
Participating: writer Anita Lehmann (SUI/UK), scientist Jean-Baptiste Aubin (FRA), illustrator Joonas Sildre (EST).
Theme: Here, we`ll reveal the story behind the creation of The Big Book of Pi – how the collaboration unfolded with all parties from different countries.
Moderator: Alizée Dabert – publisher from Helvetiq (FRA/SUI)
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (Hall 30)
Time: 12:30–13:00
MEET THE AUTHOR: MAARJA KANGRO (EST)
ESTONIAN GUEST OF HONOUR AREA (Services Centre)
Time: 13:00–13:20
ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION SAYS “HELLO! TERE!”
Short introduction of the exhibition.
ESTONIAN STAND E8/F5 (Hall 30)
Time: 13:00–13:30
MEET THE AUTHOR: ENE SEPP (EST)
Time: 13:30–14:00
MEET THE AUTHOR: KADRI-MARIA KÜLAOTS (EST)
NEXT CHAPTER CAFÉ (Hall 29)
Time: 13:30–14.20
WHO`S THIS?: DO MYTHICAL CREATURES HAVE A PLACE IN THE MODERN WORLD?
Participating: Writer and folklorist Reeli Reinaus (EST), ALMA award nominee and illustrator Marja-Liisa Plats (EST), publisher Anna Nowacka-Devillard from Wydawnictwo Widnokrąg (POL).
Theme: Mapping the complex network of peculiar creatures of Estonian mythology. Do they still have a place in a modern world, and could they attract the YA readers outside their native grounds?
Moderator: Jaanika Palm – Researcher in Children’s Literature (EST)
Thursday, 3.04
ESTONIAN GUEST OF HONOUR AREA (SERVICES CENTRE)
Time: 13:00–13:20
ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION SAYS “HELLO! TERE!”
Short introduction of the exhibition.
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