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
Including a speech by the President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis. A musical interlude by Silver Sepp.
CONTENT CAFÉ (Hall 30)
Time: 13:30–14:20
BOOKS AND BOYS
Participating: Writers Ilmar Tomusk (EST) and Anti Saar (EST) and reading promoter-teacher, IBBY Executive Committee member, 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)
Time: 16:00–17:00
A FOCUS ON BALTIC CHILDREN´S LITERATURE
Participating: Rita Tura, Latvian Literature, International Writers and Translators House (LAT), translator and scout Toma Gudelyte (LIT), translator and university lecturer Daniele Monticelli (EST)
Organized by Bologna Children’s Book Fair
ESTONIAN GUEST OF HONOUR AREA (SERVICES CENTRE)
Time: 17:00–18:15
OPENING OF THE ESTONIAN ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION “HELLO! TERE!”
Including a greeting by the Minister of Culture of Estonia Heidy Purga
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)
THE NEXT CHAPTER CAFÉ (Hall 29)
Time: 9:30–10:20
THE BALTIC COMICS SCENE
Participating: editor of Kratt Werk Veiko Tammjärv (EST), author and editor of Misteris Pinkmanas Lina Itagaki (LIT), editor of Timof Comics Paweł Timofiejuk, editor (POL).
Theme: In the year of Estonia Guest of Honour of BCBF, we take a look at children’s comics from the Baltic regions and their neighbouring countries, to understand how the world of comics is developing there, the peculiarities of the visual tradition of these nations, and the challenges publishers who want to grow in this sector must face.
Moderator: Tanja Skale–editor of Stripburger and co-founder and art director of the Tinta International Comics Festival (SLO)
Organized by Bologna Children’s Book Fair. In cooperation with Hamelin.
ILLUSTRATORS CAFÉ (Services Centre)
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, National Library of Lithuania, 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 Novakova (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: Kätlin Vainola – writer and chief editor of Hea Laps (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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