The Italian Publishers Association (AIE) and BolognaFiere, which already collaborate for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, have signed a memorandum of understanding that extends the terms of their collaboration.
In fact, together they will work on the development of new events for publishing on the national territory and will promote publishing for children and young people not only in Italy but also abroad.
Publishing for children and young people, in fact, represents 17.3% of the trade market (bookshops, online, large-scale distribution, 2020 data) in value. An even more significant figure, according to the AIE survey on import-export of rights, for every 100 titles by Italian authors sold abroad, as many as 38 today are books for children and teenagers.
A first step of this agreement will be in June. In fact, the Italian Publishers Association will participate in the creation of BolognaBookPlus, promoted by BolognaFiere and held on the same days as the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (from 14 to 17 June). The initiative is dedicated to generalist publishing and innovation issues with an international conference, training course for junior agents, a forum on translation and an exhibition on covers in the digital age.
In December, on the other hand, BolognaFiere will provide technical support for the Rights Center of Più libri più libero, the national fair of small and medium publishing organized by AIE in Rome.
Gianpiero Calzolari, president of BolognaFiere commented: “The memorandum of understanding is testimony to our sharing of some of the objectives of the Italian Publishers Association. First of all, the promotion of Italian publishing and the creative expression of its authors, worldwide. We are sure that the international vocation of BolognaFiere, which characterizes us among the most active organizers on foreign markets, the experience of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, a world event for children’s publishing and the new initiatives launched in this last year in which pandemic has imposed an acceleration in the launch of new initiatives, they will be fundamental factors to support the creation of new visibility and commercial opportunities in a sector already appreciated by the international market ».