Unexpected results at the 59th edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair - BCBF, together with the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids and the first in-person edition of BolognaBookPlus – BBPlus, created in collaboration with AIE (Association of Italian Publishers). At an edition put together over two months, paying significant attention to the increasingly uncertain global situation, the presence of the large international professional network that comes together each year to unite around BCBF was once again decisive.
Four days finally back in person in Bologna, which witnessed the arrival of 1,070 exhibitors from 90 countries, including Guest of Honour Sharjah, and a programme of 18 exhibitions and more than 250 live events. A fair packed with content and detailed focus sessions this year registered attendance that was a 25% lower than in 2019, the most recent in-person edition. This was an unexpectedly positive result for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair that, given the difficult international situation, views the attendance of 21,432 visitors - with over 40% of professionals coming from abroad - with both gratitude and optimism. This success was achieved thanks also to the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (MAECI) and ITA - the Italian Trade Agency.