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Comics Corner


Print programme

31 March, 09:00
ITA
In Conversation with Altan: Happy Birthday, Pimpa!

The Illustrators Survival Corner - Masterclass Area

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER

In 1975 Altan published the first story featuring his famous red-dotted dog: 50 years later, cartoonists come together to celebrate the birthday of one of the most beloved Italian comics characters.

Moderator

Emilio Varrà, Hamelin

Panel

Altan, cartoonist; Maicol & Mirco, cartoonist; Noemi Vola, cartoonist and illustrator; Sergio Ruzzier, illustrator.

Organized by

Hamelin

In cooperation with

Franco Cosimo Panini Editore

In the framework of

Comics Corner

31 March, 10.30 - 11.20
ITA
The New Spanish OLA of Comics

The Content Café

HALL 30

COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
Spanish comics for young people are on the rise and are capturing many new readers. The newest and most interesting editorial projects will be presented.

Panel

Grazia Gotti, Accademia Drosselmeier; Marta Tutone, translator and Founder of Liana Editorial; Sectorial del Cómic de España.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Accademia Drosselmeier, Kids Comics

31 March, 16.00 - 16.50
ITA
Pimpa: cinquant'anni di storie. Altan in dialogo con Barbara Schiaffino

The Book Lovers' Café

GALLERY HALL 25-26

COMICS CORNER
THE BOOK LOVERS' CAFÉ

Organized by

Franco Cosimo Panini Editore

31 March, 17.30 - 18:15
ITA
In memoria di Cristina Lastrego

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
A pochi giorni dalla sua morte, ricordiamo un'artista che, insieme al compagno Francesco Testa, ha segnato la storia della cultura per l'infanzia attraverso una instancabile sperimentazione tra linguaggi (il fumetto, il libro illustrato e l'animazione) e l'invenzione di personaggi indimenticabili come Giovanna e il drago Tommasone. La ricordano studiosi, autrici e autori che ne hanno incrociato il percorso artistico e di vita. L'incontro è aperto da un saluto in video di Francesco Testa.

Panel

Francesco Testa, autore e illustratore; Pino Boero, autore ed esperto di letteratura per l'infanzia; Emanuela Bussolati, autrice; Orietta Fatucci, Edizioni EL; Walter Fochesato, studioso di letteratura per l’infanzia e storia dell’illustrazione, Vicedirettore del mensile Andersen; Carlo Gallucci, Gallucci Editore; Giusi Quarenghi, autrice; Annita Romanelli, Responsabile Unità Organizzativa Produzione Cartoni e Serie TV, Rai Kids; Elena Toselli, Direttrice di produzione, Rai Fiction; Sara Wang, CEO, Sìdee Cultural Communication.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair, Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids

In cooperation with

Hamelin

In the framework of

Comics Corner

31 March, 9.30 - 10.20
ENG
Maliopys: Ukrainian Comics in Times of War

The Content Café

HALL 30

COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
Comics in Ukraine (maliopyses) began to develop actively only after 2017, unlike comics on the European market wich have been developing for quite some time. Even during this time, Ukrainian artists achieved significant results, offering their vision in various genres of both Ukrainian history and current events, including the war with Russia. Right now, the non-fiction graphic novel A Brief History of a Long War of Ukraine with Russia has become the most successful on the international markets even before being published in Ukraine.

Moderator

Anna Tkach, Literary Agency OVO

Panel

Kateryna Omelianenko, Vydavnytstvo; Anastasiia Lypska, Vovkulaka Publishing House.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin, Literary Agency OVO, Vydavnytstvo, Vovkulaka Publishing House

In the framework of

Comics Corner

01 April, 13.00 - 13.50
ENG
The Winners of the BolognaRagazzi Awards 2025: Comics category

The Book Lovers' Café

GALLERY HALL 25-26

COMICS CORNER
THE BOOK LOVERS' CAFÉ
AWARDS & CONTESTS
Comics Early Reader winner: Gutenachtgeschichten für Celeste - Ein sehr gruseliges Bilderbuch (Bedtime Stories for Celeste - a Very Scary Picture Book) Carl Hanser Verlag, Germany, 2024. Text and drawings by Nikolaus Heidelbach and Ole Könnecke. Comics Middle Grade winner: Dita Dor (Dictator), Edições Assembleia da República, Portugal, 2024. Text and drawings by António Jorge Gonçalves. Comics Young Adult winner: La Trahison d’Olympe Livre 1 (The Betrayal of Olympe #1), Sarbacane, France, 2024. Text and drawings by Jean Dalin

Moderator

Emilio Varrà, Hamelin, docente del Corso di Fumetto e Illustrazione dell'Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In the framework of

Comics Corner

01 April, 13.30 - 14.20
ENG
Latin American Comics Today

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
Between the 1950s and 1970s South America experienced a golden age of comics, with artists considered among the greatest globally, such as Alberto Breccia, Quino, Mauricio de Sousa... But what is happening today? Four publishers from different countries will discuss the current South American comics market, its new challenges and opportunities, its relationship with tradition and the emerging publishing trends to watch out for.

Moderator

Bruno Molinero, journalist, editor, Folha de S. Paulo, Brazil

Panel

Bebel Abreu, publisher, Bebel Books, Brazil; Javier Hildebrandt, publisher, Hotel de las ideas, Argentina; Juan Pablo Fajardo, Founder, Piedra Tijera Papel, Colombia.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin

In the framework of

Comics Corner

01 April, 17.30 - 18.20
ENG
Independent Comics for Young Adults

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
How can an independent comics publisher reach an audience of teenagers and young adults? What are the opportunities and the risks of introducing contemporary and experimental comics to a young audience? Three of the most original and influential independent comics publishers will discuss strategies for attracting readers aged 15 and over with innovative titles.

Moderator

Elisabetta Mongardi, Hamelin

Panel

Daniel Pellegrino, publisher, Atrabile, Switzerland; Sergi Puyol, publisher, Apa Apa Cómics, Spain; Dirk Rehm, publisher, Reprodukt, Germany; Tucker Stone, Executive Director of Communications & Marketing, Fantagraphics Books, USA.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin

In the framework of

Comics Corner

01 April, 9.30 - 10.20
ENG
The Baltic Comics Scene

The Next Chapter Café

HALL 29

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE NEXT CHAPTER CAFÉ
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, Slovenia

Panel

Veiko Tammjarv, editor, Kratt Werk, Estonia; Lina Itagaki, author, editor, Misteris Pinkmanas, Lithuania; Paweł Timofiejuk, editor, Timof Comics, Poland.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin

In the framework of

Comics Corner

02 April, 11.30 - 12.20
ITA
Comics and Resistance: Graphic Novels and Political Engagement

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
80 years after the Liberation, a look at the ways in which reality comics have told the story of resistance, at different historical periods and latitudes. A look at the more political side of the graphic novel and the ability of this language to narrate global conflicts to a young audience.

Moderator

Elettra Stamboulis, curator, writer, Italy

Panel

Lucia Baldassarri, author, Italy; Claudio Calia, comics artist, Italy; Igort, comics artist, Italy; Sualzo, comics artist, Italy.

Organized by

Bologna Children’s Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin

In the framework of

Comics Corner

02 April, 12.30 - 13.20
ENG
Feminisms, Bodies, Identities: What is Their Role in Kids' Comics?

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
Feminisms, gender and identity are now part of cultural discourse at all levels. A group of cartoonists and publishers who pay special attention to these issues discuss how they are influenced by political issues, and how to address these topics in fictional stories aimed at different age groups.

Moderator

Maria Russo, Editor at Large, Union Square Kids

Panel

Amélie Fléchais, cartoonist, illustrator, France; Jonathan Garnier, writer, illustrator, France; Marta Tutone, Founder, editor, Liana Editorial, Spain; Francesca Martucci, editor, Diabolo Edizioni, Italy.

Organized by

Bologna Children’s Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin

With the support of

Tunué

In the framework of

Comics Corner

02 April, 14.30 - 15.20
ITA
I mestieri del fumetto: la traduzione

The Content Café

HALL 30

COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ

Organized by

AIE - Commissione Comics & Graphic Novels

In the framework of

Comics Corner

02 April, 15.30 - 16.20
Silent Comics: a New Frontier for Young Readers

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
A global market trend is to tell stories through the language of comics while doing away with words. This trend has also been highlighted by the mentions at the BolognaRagazzi Award. An international showcase of titles and authors will be presented.

Panel

Grazia Gotti, Accademia Drosselmeier; Henrique Moreira, illustrator, winner of the International Award of Illustration BCBF - Fundación SM 2024.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Accademia Drosselmeier, Kids Comics, Rete Bibliotecaria Bergamasca

In the framework of

Comics Corner

02 April, 16.30 - 17.20
ENG
Bringing Comics to the Classroom: International Experiences

The Content Café

HALL 30

COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
What opportunities does the school world offer to comics publishers interested in reaching early readers? Publishers from very different countries discuss the cultural mission of bringing comics into schools through pedagogical projects, educational publications and editorial strategies.

Moderator

Dolores Prades, Founder, Director, Instituto Emilia, Brazil.

Panel

Aria Chelabian, General Manager, Kawangis Publishing, Philippines; Emanuele Di Giorgi, publisher, Tunué, Italy; Marcello Fontana, editor, Trem Fantasma, Brazil; Kevin McCloskey, editor, cartoonist, TOON Books, USA.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin, Instituto Emilia

In the framework of

Comics Corner

03 April, 11.30 - 12.20
Out of the Page: When Comics Meet Art

The Content Café

HALL 30

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
COMICS CORNER
THE CONTENT CAFÉ
How can comics enter the art world and dialogue with cultural spaces to attract a new audience? A comparison between two projects: on the one hand, "Fumetti nei Musei", devised and curated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which has 51 comics set in Italian museums, created by some of the most important voices in national comics; on the other hand, "Illustrer le Grand Paris", which has brought 30 artists to illustrate the new stops on the Grand Paris Express.

Moderator

Ilaria Del Gaudio, Professor of Art Pedagogy and Didactics, Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna, Italy

Panel

Giovanni Ferrara, Editorial Director, Coconino Press - Fandango, Italy; Joëlle Jolivet, cartoonist and illustrator, France; Sylvie Vassallo, Director, Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis, France; Noemi Vola, comics artist and illustrator, Italy.

Organized by

Bologna Children's Book Fair

In cooperation with

Hamelin

In the framework of

Comics Corner