Zig Zag Festival Brings Italian Illustration to New York for US 250th
From June 8 to June 12, New York City will host the Zig Zag Festival, a celebration of Italian and American comics and illustration. This event is organized by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York, with curation by Hamelin and Steven Guarnaccia, in partnership with the Bologna Children's Book Fair, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Notable presenters such as Mac Barnett and Debbie Bibo will participate. Highlights include a panel at the Society of Illustrators on June 9, an event at Rizzoli Bookstore on June 10, a session at Salotto – Casa IED on June 11, and a presentation at Sullaluna NYC on June 12. Collaborating partners include Rizzoli Bookstore, Sullaluna NYC, and the Society of Illustrators.
Key facts
- Zig Zag Festival runs June 8–12, 2026 in New York City.
- Festival celebrates illustration and comics for US 250th anniversary.
- Organized by Italian Cultural Institute of New York and curated by Hamelin and Steven Guarnaccia.
- Collaboration with Bologna Children's Book Fair.
- Presenters include Mac Barnett, Debbie Bibo, Nicholas Blechman, Marianna Coppo, Kirsten Hall, Emiliano Ponzi, Cecilia Ruiz, Felicita Sala, Olimpia Zagnoli.
- Elena Pasoli is director of Bologna Children's Book Fair.
- Key events at Society of Illustrators, Rizzoli Bookstore, Salotto – Casa IED, Sullaluna NYC.
- Partners include Rizzoli Bookstore, Sullaluna NYC, Salotto – Casa IED, Society of Illustrators, School of Visual Arts.
Entities
Artists
- Mac Barnett
- Debbie Bibo
- Nicholas Blechman
- Marianna Coppo
- Kirsten Hall
- Emiliano Ponzi
- Cecilia Ruiz
- Felicita Sala
- Olimpia Zagnoli
- Steven Guarnaccia
- Claudio Pagliara
- Elena Pasoli
- Tara Walker
- Giulia Rizzo
- Maria Russo
- Ilaria Tontardini
- Sally Kim
- Emilio Varrà
Institutions
- Italian Cultural Institute of New York
- Hamelin
- Bologna Children's Book Fair
- Society of Illustrators
- Rizzoli Bookstore
- Sullaluna NYC
- Salotto – Casa IED
- School of Visual Arts
- Debbie Bibo Agency
- Catbird Agency
- Tundra Books
- Terre di Mezzo
- Little Brown and Company
- The New Yorker
- PRINT Magazine
Locations
- New York City
- New York
- United States
- Italy
- Bologna