The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) will participate in the 61st Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy from April 8 (Mon) to April 11 (Thur) together with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (President KIM Jun Hee, KPIPA) to showcase the charm of Korean authors and children’s literature to the world.

As the largest children’s book copyright trading market globally, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair welcomes over 1,400 publishing companies and 5,000 authors, illustrators, and educational professionals from approximately 90 countries each year. Participants exchange the latest international publishing information and negotiate book publishing and translation rights.

In commemoration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy, this year’s participation will significantly increase under the theme of the “2024–2025 Korea–Italy Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange.” The Korean Pavilion will be expanded from last year’s 96 m² to 224 m², divided into the Author Promotion Hall and Export Consultation Hall. Unlike last year, which introduced six children’s book authors, this year will feature 18 authors to the European market extensively. Furthermore, a total of 100 books submitted by publishers will be selected for professional export consultation.

Author Promotion Hall: Introducing 15 Korean Children’s Authors with 67 Works Displayed

Participating Authors Include KYUNG Hye Won, KIM Sang Geun, KIM Ji An, NOH In Kyung, OH Sena, and LEE Geum Yi

In the Author Promotion Hall (96 m²), Korean children’s book authors and their works will be introduced, offering opportunities for them to meet directly with international readers and publishing professionals and share in-depth stories contained in their picture books. Around 15 Korean children’s book authors, including KANG Han, KYUNG Hye Won, KIM Dong Su, KIM Min Woo, KIM Sang Geun, KIM Ji An, KIM Ji Yoon, NOH In Kyung, SO Yun Kyung, SHIN Hye Jin, OH Sena, LEE Myung Ae, LEE So Young, LEE Ji Hyun, and JEON Seung Bae, will be featured along with their 67 representative works. Attendees will also have the chance to explore eight titles like “The Disappeared Dinner” (KWON Jung Min, Changbi) and “A Round of Tightrope Walking” (MIN Ha, Gloyeon), recipients of the “2023 Korea Picture Book Award.” In addition, six authors, KYUNG Hye Won, KIM Sang Geun, KIM Ji An, NOH In Kyung, OH Sena, and LEE Geum Yi, will actively engage in “Book Talks” and experiential events.

Export Consultation Hall: Promotion of 3 Authors, Export Consultation of 100 Books from 36 Companies

A Free Communal Lounge and Consultation Space Available for Korean Publishers’ Export Consultations

In the Export Consultation Hall (128 m²), works by authors including LEE Geum Yi and this year’s “BolognaRagazzi Awards[1]” runners-up CHOI Yeon Ju and SEO Hyun will be displayed and promoted. Export consultations will be conducted for 100 books selected by 36 domestic publishers, featuring notable works such as “The Skirt That Spreads to the End of the World” (MYUNG Soo Jung, Gloyeon), a Golden Apple winner at the 2019 Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB), and “Mo Story” (CHOI Yeon Ju, Atnoonbooks), which received special mention at the BolognaRagazzi Awards Opera Prima 2024.

This year, special efforts were made to broadly promote the charm of Korean children’s literature and support effective export opportunities through meticulous preparation and deployment of experts. Prior to the event, an English directory book containing information about publishers and books was distributed to foreign buyers, facilitating connections between publishers and buyers for on-site consultations. In addition, experienced interpreters specializing in export matters were enlisted to assist publishers in their export promotions.

Rising International Status of Korean Books and Authors through the “BolognaRagazzi Awards” and the “Hans Christian Andersen Award”

The international status of Korean books and authors continues to rise. Korean picture books have consistently received awards nearly every year since their first BolognaRagazzi Award in 2004. This year, entries triumphed in the Opera Prima category with “Mo Story” (CHOI Yeon Ju, Atnoonbooks), and in the Comics (Early Reader) category with “As You Drive” (KIM Ji An, Woongjin Thinkbig) and “Rice Cake House of a Tiger” (SEO Hyun, Sakyejul Publishing). The awarded works and the authors’ representative works will be available at the Korean Pavilion. Author LEE Geum Yi, participating in this book fair, is one of the final six nominees for the “Hans Christian Andersen Award[2]” in the Authors category, highlighting the strength of Korean children’s literature. The final winners will be announced on April 8.

Distribution of Korean Picture Books to Schools Globally, Online Promotion of Korean Authors,

and Expansion of International Networks to Support the Globalization of “K-Picture Books”

The MCST will continue to promote the globalization of “K-Picture Books” through various support projects this year. The Connect Project aims to enhance the accessibility of Korean picture books in everyday life by distributing them to prominent schools in France, Italy, and Mexico and linking them with various reading and post-reading festival activities. The Ministry is also broadening its global presence by consistently uploading videos introducing Korean authors on platforms like Wikipedia and YouTube, participating in international children’s literature awards, and attending international conferences. Moreover, the MCST increased the number of awards for the recently established “Korea Picture Book Award” from 2 to 5.