This year's focus is illustration and Croatia's project presents a complex platform of exhibitions, publications, archival illustrations for children and much more, Assistant Culture Minister Tamara Perisic told a press conference in the ministry on Tuesday.
Croatia's exhibition will be prepared with the cooperation of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Publishers and Librarians, and individual publishing houses.
Being this year's special guest, Croatia will have a central space at the fair where it will present topical discussions, round tables presenting Croatian illustrators, literary agents, licensors and licensees, packagers, distributors, printers, book sellers, and librarians.
The Fair was founded in 1963 and has become one of the most important international events dedicated to the children's publishing and multimedia industry. The fair attracts more than 30,000 professionals, publishers, authors and illustrators each year.
Croatia's appearance as guest country was made possible due to the efforts invested by the Italian Cultural Institute in Zagreb and the Italian Embassy and comes after an introductory programme, "Drop of water on the palm/Ahead of Bologna," organised by the Institute aimed at informing the Croatian public about the problems facing children's publishing.