2009 Bologna Illustrators Exhibition’s Guest of Honor is Korea
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the world’s leading children’s publishing event, begins this Monday, March 23rd. Of course there are many highlights to the fair but perhaps none more prominent than the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition. This exhibition truly defines the book fair and offers an exceptional display of children’s book illustrations which have been selected by an international jury composed of publishers, artists and museum directors. “Combined with the many illustrators who visit the Fair to show their latest portfolios to publishers, the Exhibition has become the single most important source of information about contemporary illustrators and provides an international overview of the most innovative trends”.
Each year a different country is chosen as the Illustrators Exhibition’s Guest of Honour. This year’s Guest of Honor, Korea, will showcase its literature, history and tradition through the Illustrators Exhibition as well as through a wide range of cultural programs to be held in the city centre in a framework of events extending far beyond the four days of the Fair.
Reporter Chung Ah-young of The Korea Times reports:
According to the KPA, Korea’s book market ranks among the 10th largest in the world, with over 40,000 new titles published each year. Among them, children’s books make up about 19 percent of the market, which reflects not only the high enthusiasm that Korean parents have for their children’s education but also the efforts of highly imaginative and innovative bookmakers and writers.
The Guest of Honor programs will feature Korean children’s books and illustrators and the exhibition of their original paintings.
More than any other trade show, the fair is expected to play an important role in the emergence of Korean children’s books, as visitors to the Korean events will discover the fascinating roots of the stories and images found in Korean children’s books, which remain less recognizable in Europe.
Be sure to check out our new issue of PaperTigers on April 1st when we will be focusing on Korea.
March 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I would like nothing more than to attend the fair again this year, but, alas, it’s not in the cards for me. But hopefully I’ll be there again next year. The illustrators’ exhibit is indeed an incredible showcase of new and established talent. And speaking of talent, I love the two illustrations you posted! The bottom one has a hint of aboriginal art. Perhaps it’s by a Korean who lives/has lived in Australia?… do you happen to know more about it?
March 18th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Cool! My cousin is an aspiring artist who has dreamt about exhibiting at this fair! It is THE fair for children’s book illustrators, and it’s great that Korea is the focus this year.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Aline -
I did some research on the bottom illustration. It is entitled The Great Kid Moonchi by Goh Gyong-Sook. This book just won an award at the 1st CJ Picture Book Festival in Korea but unfortunately I can’t seem to find any more info in english on the book or illustrator. However, Goh Gyong-Sook will be at the Bologna Book Fair and is taking part in the “Illustrations from Korea: An introduction to Korean Illustration and Authors” program at the Illustrators Cafe. Perhaps one of our readers will be attending and can tell us more.
March 19th, 2009 at 3:50 am
I’ve heard from Jorge Lujan that two of his books won prizes at the CJ Picture Festival too – but like you, I haven’t been able to find any further information. We’ll just have to keep checking – maybe they are in the process of updating their website to include the winners…