The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is a significant annual event that attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from all over the world. It serves as a hub for professionals in children's publishing and, for illustrators, it is an exceptional place to begin and build a career. Personally, it has been a pivotal event that has guided me on my journey and continues to inspire and support me.

In 2023, to celebrate the 60th edition of the fair, a special competition was held, exclusively inviting illustrators who had been selected for the Illustrator’s Exhibition over the last 10 years. The jury, consisting of the illustrators who had created the covers for the Illustrators Annuals over the past decade—Elena Odriozola, Albertine, Hassan Mousavi, Igor Oleynikov, Ludwig Volbeda, Rotraut Susanne Berner, Laura Carlin, Roger Mello, It's Raining Elephants/Nina Wehrle, and Peter Sís—chose the 20 finalists. I was honored to be among them, taking part in what felt like a "beautiful concert with 20 musicians playing a 4-colour score," conducted by the maestro ChiaLab.

My illustration was featured in the Landscapes and Portraits of BCBF exhibition, located at the heart of the fair. It was also visible online in the Fair Galleries section and appeared across various communication materials, even projected onto the walls of the city.

Bologna Children’s Book Fair Visual Identity
2023

Visual identity
Bologna


Design
Chia Lab



© Mariana Rio 2010-2025