In Frankfurt, the Fair had a 60 square metres stand allowing it to showcase many of the developments BCBF has spearheaded over its recent past, including BolognaBookPlus, soft launched last June as a new offering for international general trade publishing. Located in the heart of BCBF, BolognaBookPlus comprises a variety of exhibiting options, alongside the return of its successful training and content programme.
Exciting and integral features of the Gran Tour presence at Frankfurt were: The Illustrators Survival Corner, one of the most successful initiatives at the Bologna event – organised by Mimaster Illustrazione and in collaboration with BCBF – with workshops, portfolio reviews and “ask me anything” sessions with guests such as: Maria Sole Macchia (illustrator, Italy), Olga and Andrej Dugin (illustrators, Germany), Cecilia Flegenheimer (Art Director, Mondadori, Italy), Valentina Colombo (representative agent, Phileas Fogg Agency, Italy), Chris Haughton (illustrator and designer, Ireland), Steven Guarnaccia (illustrator and designer, USA), Giovanna Ballin (responsible for international rights and acquisitions, Corraini Edizioni, Italy). Masterclasses were held on 21 October as part of the Survival Corner, at the Movenpick Hotel Frankfurt City, Matterhorn Theatre: “Inside the picturebook”, by illustrator and designer Chris Haughton, and “Kids Books by Design”, by illustrator and designer Steven Guarnaccia. There was a presentation of the 2022 editions of BCBF and BBPLUS, on 20 October (also at the Matterhorn Theatre at the Hotel Movenpick, adjacent to the fair). Speakers included: Paola Seghi (AIE - Associazione Italiana Editori, the BCBF partner for BolognaBookPlus), Francesco Alfonsi (ICE Agency, Berlin), Ahmed Al Ameri (Sharjah Book Authority) representative of Sharjah Guest of Honour BCBF 2022, Jacks Thomas (BolognaBookPlus), Marco Momoli (BolognaFiere) and Elena Pasoli (Bologna Children's Book Fair).