Ministry of Culture to Attend Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy... Expanding Overseas Markets for K-Picture Books

Participation of 39 Korean Publishers, Support for Rights Consultation on 100 Commissioned Titles
Exhibition Featuring 15 Korean Authors and Special Lecture by Lee Geumi

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is moving to expand the overseas presence of Korean children's publishing content at the world's largest children's book fair.

'63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair' Korea Export Consultation Booth. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Ministry, together with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea, announced that it will participate in 'The 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair,' held at Bologna Fiere in Italy from April 13 to April 16, 2026, with the goal of expanding the foundation for the overseas advancement of Korean children's publishing content.

At this year's fair, the Ministry plans to highlight the competitiveness of Korean picture books and children's literature, focusing on achieving tangible export results.

The Bologna Children's Book Fair is the world's largest professional trade fair for children's publishing copyrights, with more than 1,500 publishing industry participants from over 90 countries each year. This year, Korea is setting up a 352-square-meter Korean Pavilion, targeting the global market with a focus on the Export Consultation Booth and the Author Promotion Booth.

The Export Consultation Booth will facilitate one-on-one business meetings between domestic and international publishers. Thirty-nine Korean publishing companies, including Changbi, Sakyejul Publishing, and Dasan Books, will operate individual booths, while specialized agencies will handle export consultations for 100 commissioned titles from 27 companies unable to attend in person. Last year, 40 Korean publishers participated and conducted 556 export consultations.

Exhibition view of export consultation booths at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Author Promotion Booth will host exhibitions and book talks to showcase the artistry and literary value of Korean children's books. Works by 15 leading Korean picture book authors will be displayed, and five authors attending in person—Kim Yudae, Park Geonung, Cho Wonhee, Ha Sujeong, and Hwiri—will participate directly in book talks.

This year's fair will also feature special sessions highlighting Korean authors and their works. There will be a special lecture by Lee Geumi, who was shortlisted for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award in the writing category, along with book talks and special exhibitions focused on titles such as 'The Story of the Siblings,' 'A Vessel for the Heart,' and 'Imagination Forbidden!,' which won the Bologna Ragazzi Award in March 2026.

Choi Sunghui, Director of Content and Media Industry at the Ministry, stated, "The Bologna Children's Book Fair is an important gateway for confirming the competitiveness of Korean children's books in the global market. We will actively support the growth of the industry by promoting copyright exports and local marketing activities so that outstanding domestic content can expand vigorously into overseas markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.