Irish publishers and organisations bring Irish storytelling to Bologna Children’s Book Fair
This week Irish publishers and organisations are championing Irish books for children and young people at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Among the thousands of exhibitors attending the annual fair, the Irish collective A Nation of Storytellers stand displays the artwork of illustrator Steve McCarthy and provides a home for Irish attendees. These include Children’s Books Ireland, The O’Brien Press, Little Island Books, Futa Fata, Gill Books, My Irish Books and An tSnáthaid Mhór.
Across the week the Irish delegates will be connecting with international colleagues to buy and sell rights, discuss the trends and challenges facing the sector and share stories from Ireland’s authors and illustrators. The aptly named stand is supported by Culture Ireland, an organisation which aims to advance the global impact of Irish artists.
Established in 2005, this year marks the 20th anniversary of Culture Ireland and their work in celebrating and championing Irish arts worldwide. A reception will be held at the stand to celebrate Ireland’s presence at the fair, supported by the Embassy of Ireland, Italy.
this year marks the 20th anniversary of Culture Ireland and their steadfast work in celebrating and championing Irish arts worldwide
The fair will also be attended by Ireland’s current Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde who is passionate about creating stories and encouraging a love of reading. ‘Our love of storytelling and our respect for literature goes all the way back to the myths and legends of our pagan, Celtic past,’ she explains. ‘Our children will be the custodians of that tradition. They are the readers, writers and illustrators of the future.’
As part of the biennial International Laureates Summit held at this year’s fair, Patricia will be discussing her Laureate programme and her flagship project, the Whole Wild World Tour.
At the International Laureates Summit seven Laureates will discuss reading promotion in their respective countries or regions: Ireland, Italy, UK, Sweden, Australia, Friesland and the Netherlands, sharing their advice and offering support on their shared mission of encouraging children to read.
EURead connects European countries who share a common goal of promoting reading. The organisation will host a panel discussion about how best to share the message of the UN’s sustainable development goals with young readers. During Books that Seed a Sustainable Development Mindset: a Reading Promoters’ View, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland will speak about the work carried out in Ireland and the necessary objectives to achieve the charity’s powerful vision: Every Child A Reader.
There will also be a panel with EURead colleagues from Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Ukraine, discussing Children in the World of Disinformation – How Reading Shapes Critical Thinking.
If you are attending the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, you can find Ireland’s A Nation of Storytellers stand at Hall 25B Stand 89/91.
