Record 4,000 Illustrators Compete at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025
The 59th Mostra Illustratori, which is part of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, is set to happen from March 31 to April 3, 2025, at BolognaFiere. Since its inception in 1967, this event has grown significantly, featuring contributions from over 4,000 illustrators across 89 countries, totaling 21,870 artworks. A panel selected 76 sets of illustrations by 77 artists from 29 nations, with 14 winners from Italy, including names like Alessio Alcini and Patrizia Colombo. These award-winning works will be displayed at the fair, online, and during a global tour, plus they’ll be included in the Illustrators Annual catalog by Corraini. The event will also include BolognaBookPlus and the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids.
Key facts
- 59th edition of Mostra Illustratori at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025
- Over 4,000 illustrators from 89 countries submitted 21,870 works
- Jury selected 76 sets by 77 artists from 29 countries
- 14 Italian winners: Alessio Alcini, Patrizia Colombo, Riccardo Cusimano, Lisa Loffredo, Naida Mazzenga, Daniele Melarancio, Giulio Noccesi, Leonardo Papa, Giulia Pastorino, Cristina Pieropan, Marco Quadri, Lorenzo Sangiovanni, Edoardo Sciarra, Beatrice Tonelli
- Jury members: Walter Fochesato, Chris Houghton, Neal Porter, Felicita Sala, Gema Sirvent Laguna
- Winning works to tour Japan, South Korea, and China
- Catalog Illustrators Annual published by Corraini with cover by Sydney Smith
- BolognaBookPlus and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids run concurrently
Entities
Artists
- Alessio Alcini
- Patrizia Colombo
- Riccardo Cusimano
- Lisa Loffredo
- Naida Mazzenga
- Daniele Melarancio
- Giulio Noccesi
- Leonardo Papa
- Giulia Pastorino
- Cristina Pieropan
- Marco Quadri
- Lorenzo Sangiovanni
- Edoardo Sciarra
- Beatrice Tonelli
- Walter Fochesato
- Chris Houghton
- Neal Porter
- Felicita Sala
- Gema Sirvent Laguna
- Sydney Smith
Institutions
- Bologna Children's Book Fair
- BolognaFiere
- Andersen
- Holiday House
- Neal Porter Books
- Libre Albedrìo
- BCBF Galleries
- Corraini
- AIE – Associazione Italiana Editori
- BolognaBookPlus
- Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
- Artribune
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- China