BOLOGNAFIERE ANNOUNCES JUNE DATES FOR BOLOGNA CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR 2021 AND BRAND EXTENSION FOR THE 58TH EDITION, BOLOGNABOOKPLUS, FOR WHICH JACKS THOMAS APPOINTED AS GUEST DIRECTOR

The management team of the world’s premium children’s book fair today) announced a change to its dates for 2021 from April to June 14th – 17th.

Commenting on the change Bologna Children’s Book Fair Director, Elena Pasoli explains, ‘We continue to work in exceptional times and the book industry has once again proved itself to be hugely resilient. The children’s book market is arguably more important than ever before and we are delighted to be able to offer this date change in 2021, to give us the valuable opportunity to meet again as an industry, prior to moving back to our usual time-frame of April. Bologna is wonderful in April and even better in June – we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our book fair in which al fresco meetings will be the norm!’

Additionally, Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) is delighted to announce a brand extension to its core offering through a new conference and exhibit for general publishing — BolognaBookPlus — for which they have appointed Jacks Thomas as Guest Director. Jacks is appointing a UK based team to create this exciting new facet to BCBF.

Marco Momoli, Director Business Unit Culture BolognaFiere says, ‘Bologna Children’s Book Fair is a fantastic brand under great leadership and we are understandably proud of everything that has been achieved over the past half century. As publishing goes from strength-to-strength so do we and our ambition remains steadfast in being the premium destination for the children’s publishing world; as the alignments between publishing, digital developments, entertainment and knowledge sharing move ever closer we are enthusiastic about ensuring that we reflect that in our offering and are delighted to welcome Jacks as our Guest Director to drive this.’

Jacks Thomas adds, ‘I feel immensely privileged to have the opportunity of working with the brilliant team at BCBF and the BolognaFiere on BolognaBookPlus. Children’s publishing is the launchpad of so much and the gateway to so many avenues of innovation and audiences. It is also fantastic to be able to work with talented colleagues here in the UK. Bologna in June is delightful and I very much hope that bringing the global industry together in this flexible venue will be a great opportunity to which we can all look forward after a long drought in European book fairs.’

While physical book fairs in the western world have been absent from 2020’s schedules, Bologna and Shanghai have just completed another successful edition of the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair with 350 exhibitors from 21 countries and territories (of which 150 international), 18,963 visitors, and a comprehensive programme featuring over 300 online and offline events.