Bologna Children’s Book Fair returns with its 59th edition from 21 to 24 March at BolognaFiere. Among the novelties we should mention the first live edition of Bologna Book Plus, in collaboration with the Italian Publishers Association, and with the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair | Kids.
The event will welcome the international community of professionals in the sector in the pavilions where a professional audience from all over the world will meet to discuss the rights and issues of publishing for children and young people.
In fact, around 950 exhibitors from over 85 countries and regions are expected at BolognaFiere. “Much more than we would have expected – as underlined by Elena Pasoli, BCBF exhibition manager – All continents are represented, the response from the sector has been and is surprising. We naturally have a heavy heart for what is happening and it is with sorrow that we must accept the absence of the Ukrainian and Russian publishers “.
Among the focuses of the 2022 edition, there are more and more themes that confirm the primary role of the event in the scouting of new publishing trends, of the fastest growing markets, of opportunities, forms and methods of business.
In addition to Bologna Book Plus, the exhibition schedule will also include various initiatives organized as part of Aldus Up – European Book Fairs Network, a project co-financed by the European Union as part of the Creative Europe program.
This year, the professional program of the fair also benefits from the support of the ICE-Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalization of Italian companies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In fact, through an exhibition enhancement program it was possible to create new business areas, for the promotion of publishing and creativity made in Italy. Added to this is a delegation of about 150 high-profile foreign operators who will enrich the calendar of initiatives and enhance the exhibition offer of the fair.
BolognaBookPlus debuts in attendance
This year BCBF2022 will be joined by Bologna Book Plus, the second edition and the first in the presence of the new exhibition extension of the fair aimed at generalist publishing. The goal is to expand the reach by targeting a wider professional audience in the global publishing industry.
The initiative, in collaboration with AIE-the Italian Publishers Association, includes its own exhibition area that hosts networking and matchmaking opportunities, exhibitions, portfolio reviews, seminars and a conference program dedicated to professionals in the sector.
These include: a panel to understand the basics of copyright and the essential stages of the rights sale process; insights into translation rights; an excursus on the work of a literary agent; a whole day dedicated to Self publishing.