Following the success of the first Bologna Grand Tour of the world's top book fairs in 2021, we made a new world tour. Developed with the support and collaboration of ITA – The Italian Trade Agency promoting Italian companies abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the 2022 Grand Tour aimed to strengthen Bologna Fair’s global reach, promoting new international publishing opportunities. It also kicked off celebrations to mark the 60th Bologna Children's Book Fair, which, together with its brand extension BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus) - general adult trade publishing and developed in partnership the Italian Publishers’ Association (AIE) - and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/ Kids, will be held in Bologna from 6 to 9 March 2023.
The Tour began at the Frankfurt Book Fair (19 - 23 October), moving on the Sharjah International Book Fair (2-13 November), followed by the Salon du Livre de Montreal (23-27 November) and finally, to the Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (26 November - 4 December).
Bologna: the heart of the book world where your taste for books is indulged
Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF)
Bologna Children's Book Fair is the world's leading fair of children's publishing and content, attracting 1,500 exhibitors and about 30,000 trade visitors from around 100 countries. BCBF celebrates its 60th edition in 2023. Every year Bologna plays host to a truly unique gathering of publishers, agents, developers, illustrators, authors, booksellers, librarians and allied professionals but also multimedia and children's content licensing specialists.
BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus)
Launched in 2020 by BCBF/BolognaFiere, in partnership with the Italian Publishers' Association (AIE), BolognaBookPlus caters for a general trade publishing audience. Occupying a distinct exhibition area, its wide-ranging programme includes training courses and conferences. BolognaBookPlus Guest Director Jacks Thomas and her UK team work closely with the Bologna team.
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/Kids)
An integral part of Bologna Children’s Book Fair, located at the centre of the Fair, BLTF/Kids hosts major international licensing and entertainment operators presenting over 800 brands on offer, the Licensing Business Lounge, a themed exhibition, the only international conference uniting the whole world of content around licensing topics on products for children and young people, the International Kids Licensing Days, and one of the most important awards for the industry, the Bologna Licensing Awards.