Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara
26 November – 4 December 2022
Area Internacional HH7
After stops at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) – where Italy was Guest Country of Honour – and the Salon du Livre de Montréal, the fourth and final stop was held at the Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara, from 26 November to 4 December.
Bologna Children’s Book Fair has a broad raft of events also lined up for Mexico. BCBF’s booth (International Area Stand HH7) hosted three exhibitions featuring Italian publishing and illustration excellence. Special guided tours of the exhibitions were scheduled for the fair’s international public. The programme curated by Mimaster Illustrazione in partnership with BCBF included a special “on tour” edition of the Illustrator’s Survival Corner - one of the most sought-after spaces of every BCBF edition. The Corner was facilitated by professionals operating on the national and international illustrated-publishing scene; they were also involved in an exciting programme of masterclasses, workshops, portfolio reviews and "Ask Me Anything" sessions catering for young professionals wishing to broaden their skills and understanding of the world of illustration. On hand to answer questions: Andrés López, illustrator (Mexico), Cristiano Guerri, Art Director, Feltrinelli (Italy), Philip Giordano, illustrator (Italy), Anna Castagnoli, children's book author, illustrator and critic (Italy), Martina Recchiuti, Editor-in-chief of Internazionale Kids (Italy), Peggie Espinosa, designer and publisher, Petra Ediciones (Mexico), Dolores Prades, consultant and publisher , Instituto Emília and Estúdio Seringueira (Brazil), and Monica Bergna, publisher of Alboroto (Mexico).
On 29 November, the Round Table curated by Instituto Emilia “How Books Open Up New Worlds and Welcome New Readers” looked at how children's literature can bridge the gap between young readers and the problems of our time, and help the many, often invisible, children living on the margins of society gain not only visibility but also self-esteem. Discussants included: Marìa Osorio, founder of the Colombian Association of Independent Booksellers (Colombia), Lola Larra, author and publisher, Ediciones Ekaré (Chile), Vélia Vidal, writer and reading promoter (Colombia), author Ana Romero (Mexico), and Dolores Prades, consultant and publisher, Instituto Emília and Estúdio Seringueira (Brazil).
Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/ Kids presentd some Made-in-Italy case studies showing how illustrations can lend a magical touch to fashion and children's games – and at the same time extend the illustrator’s market beyond the world of books.
Last but not least, BolognaBookPlus were also on hand to present the novelties ad opportunities lined up for Bologna 2023 at a special networking event together with BCBF and BLTF/K on Wednesday 30 November at 6 p.m. at The Westin Guadalajara.