Slovenia's showcase as the guest of honour at the Children's Book Fair in Bologna next month will focus on the stylistic diversity and richness of the country's illustration.

Almost 60 Slovenian illustrators will be presented, 44 of whom at a pavilion designed by architects Sara Badovinac and Sara Škarica as a two-storey canopy. A dozen will be highlighted.

Another 15 illustrators have been selected to be featured in the catalogue accompanying the exhibition.

Slovenian Book Agency director Katja Stergar told reporters on 27 March that the exhibition will feature artists of all generations, the "timeless" and up-and-coming ones. Works published or reprinted in the last five years have been included.

The showcase has been conceived together with the Centre of Illustration and the selection was made by a six-member panel of experts, including illustrators Tanja Komadina and Ivan Mitrevski.

The pair said the selection process had taken into account criteria including artistic expression, originality, award-winning work and participation in exhibitions.

After Slovenia appeared as the guest of honour at the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair, Bologna is another opportunity for the promotion of Slovenian culture abroad.

Although these are separate events, they are related in that Slovenia will promote reading literacy at both, Culture Minister Asta Vrečko said.

Book Agency director Katja Stergar (left) and Culture Minister Asta Vrečko present Slovenia's appearance as the guest of honour at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Slovenia and Italy are also cooperating on the 2025 European Capital of Culture project that will be hosted by the cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia.

Vrečko is convinced this will further consolidate bilateral cooperation.

The fair's director Elena Pasoli, who addressed the press conference by video call, said Slovenia's appearance is a "big deal" and expectations are accordingly great.

Slovenia's goal in Bologna is the same as it was in Frankfurt, to promote children's and youth literature production and encourage translation.

Slovenian authors, illustrators and publishers will be present at all events, while the national stand will also feature Slovenian film and the author Alma Karlin (1889-1950).

Special attention will be given to comic books, an increasingly popular genre, and Slovenia will be in the focus of the Anderson magazine for children.

A large exhibition of illustrators who participated in the fair in the past will meanwhile feature Slovenia's Ana Maraž as one of some 80 illustrators from 30 countries.

The Bologna fair will be held between 8 and 11 April.