On March 31, the international children's book fair began in Bologna, showcasing 25 Ukrainian publishers. This was reported by the Ukrainian Book Institute.
The Ukrainian national stand, like last year, is adorned with illustrations by Oleksandr Shatokhin from the quiet book "Yellow Butterfly." Additionally, the stand features postcards with information about Ukrainian children killed or deported by Russia, as well as about destroyed libraries.
As noted by Olena Odynokа, Deputy Director of the UIB for International Cooperation, representatives from the Federation of European Publishers and partners of the Ukrainian Book Institute from European countries visited the Ukrainian stand on the first day of the fair.
"We strive to inform the international audience about the challenges faced by Ukraine, particularly the Ukrainian book sector. It is important to engage partners in supporting Ukrainian culture, as this is also a contribution to our struggle", Odynokа commented.
This year, the organizers paired illustrators of the 20th century with contemporary artists, showcasing the continuity and influence of previous generations.
"We have a strong illustration school that our 'neighbors' have repeatedly attempted to appropriate. Our task is to restore and popularize this heritage, showing that Ukrainian culture is rich and unique", said Olena Staranchuk, co-curator of Pictoric.
"The design of the stand was my project. We aimed to make it bright and reflective of our reality. It worked, as it attracts attention. It is crucial to talk not only about war but also to introduce the international audience to Ukrainian culture as a whole", added Staranchuk.
On the first day of the Bologna Book Fair, a panel discussion titled "Malopys: Ukrainian Comics in Times of War" took place, where speakers discussed the history of comics in Ukraine and explored Maryam Nayyem's "A Short History of a Long War."
"Ukrainian comics are still a new phenomenon for the international audience. We brought very diverse projects—children's, adult, historical, and even scientific. We are observing how they will be received. We also actively promote the term 'malopys,' explaining to foreigners what it means and how Ukrainian comics differ to showcase their uniqueness", explained Hanna Tkach, literary manager of the OVO literary agency.
Tkach noted that the panel discussion also addressed how Ukrainians are aware of their trauma and are working through it.
"It cannot be said that Europeans are skeptical of Ukrainian narratives, but they often perceive them through the lens of our trauma. There is a notion that our perspective might be exaggerated due to our experiences—suggesting that we might be overstating or presenting events in overly dramatic tones. Therefore, it is vital to discuss this with the international audience", concluded the literary manager.
The Bologna Children's Book Fair was established in 1964 and has since become a creative hub for publishers, illustrators, designers, translators, librarians, and other representatives of the publishing industry.
