Switzerland chosen as guest country for Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2019

Attracting around 27,000 visitors a year, the international Children’s Book Fair in Bologna is the world’s leading trade fair dedicated to the publishing industry for children and adolescents. The event is a meeting point and platform for publishers, booksellers, authors and illustrators. Switzerland’s nomination as guest of honour therefore represents a unique opportunity for professionals in the field to showcase the richness and diversity of the country’s children’s and youth book production.

Preparations for the international Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2019 are already under way. “As guest country we have the opportunity to attract global attention to the vibrant and innovative children’s and youth book scene in Switzerland, its traditions and the diversity among up-and-coming young practitioners,” says Dani Landolf, Chairman of the Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association (SBVV). The centrepiece of Switzerland’s presence as guest of honour is to be a curated exhibition of illustrations as well as information on publishers, authors and illustrators. This will be supplemented by a variety of events and special exhibitions in and around the city of Bologna before, during and after the actual trade fair, with cross connections made to related domains such as comics, graphic novels and game design. “We want to use our role as guest country to demonstrate that Switzerland has far more high-calibre children’s and youth literature to offer besides the world-famous “Heidi” and “The Rainbow Fish,” explains Angelika Salvisberg, Head of Literature and Society at Pro Helvetia.

Switzerland’s presence at the trade fair will be coordinated and organised by the Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association in cooperation with the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia – its main partner in this function – and other institutions and representatives of the Swiss children’s book scene. The 2019 edition of the international Bologna Children’s Book Fair is due to take place at the end of March, with the precise dates still to be determined.

On behalf of the Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association:
Dani Landolf, Chairman,
dani.landolf@sbvv.ch, 079 406 21 69

On behalf of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia:
Lisa Stadler, Communication,
lstadler@prohelvetia.ch, 044 267 71 51

Media Release of the Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association and the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, 28.09.2017