With China as the country of honor at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair this March, a citywide program to celebrate Chinese arts and culture, as well as top authors and illustrators, is already in motion.

Among the many Chinese authors to attend this year’s fair are Cao Wenxuan, Cao Wenfang, Gao Hongbo, Han Yuhai, Liu Haiqi, Mei Zihan, Qin Wenjun, Tang Tang, Wang Yimei, Xie Qianni, Xu Lu, and Xue Tao. From the illustration side, many will also be present, including Cai Gao, Hei Mi, Liang Peilong, Liu Xun, Mao Yajuan, Xiong Liang, Yu Hongcheng, Yu Rong, Zhu Chengliang, Zhu Wei, and Zhu Zhu.

China Children’s Press and Publication Group (CCPPG), a co-organizer of the China Pavilion (at Hall 26, B127), is in charge of the events held outside the fairgrounds and of most events at the China Pavilion. The opening ceremony of the Chinese Ancient Illustrations art exhibition, for instance, will take place at 5 p.m. on March 25 at the Palazzo d’Accursio, where the exhibition will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 29. The Chinese Original Illustrations exhibition will be spotlighted at the service center of the Bologna Fair from March 26 to 29.

The China Pavilion will host two exhibits during the fair: A Centenary Retrospective of Children’s Book Publishing in China and Outstanding Children’s Books from China.

Below is a tentative schedule of major events, which are held at the fair unless otherwise specified; note that some publishers have their own activities and programs, to which PW may not be privy at the time of printing.

March 26

Chinese–Foreign Children’s Books Publishing Cooperation Forum: New Trends in Children’s Books Cooperation
10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Concerto Conference Room (2nd floor)
(hosted by Jieli Publishing House)

Forum on Think like a Great Mind Series
2–3 p.m.
Archiginnasio Municipal Library

Chinese–Foreign Children’s Books Publishing Cooperation Forum: Let’s Create a Better Future for the Global Children’s Publishing Industry
4–5:30 p.m.
Concerto Conference Room (2nd floor)

March 27

In Conversation with Hei He and Jiu’er: Twelve Puppies and We Were Made for Each Other
9–9:50 a.m.
China Pavilion
(hosted by Beijing Dandelion Children’s Book House)

3+3 China & the World: Dialogue on the Future of Illustrations
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Illustrator Café

Children’s Literature Writing Symposium: Realistic Reflection on Children’s Literature
2–4 p.m.
Concerto Conference Room (2nd floor)

What Makes a Good Children’s Book? Forum
3–3:50 p.m.
China Pavilion
(hosted by Jieli Publishing House)

March 28

Colorful World in Children’s Eyes: Chinese Children’s Original Picture Books
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Salaborsa Library

Launching of Picture Books Copublished by China and Italy
2–4 p.m.
China Pavilion