The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST), together with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), will participate in the 63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair, to be held from April 13 (Monday) to 16 (Thursday) at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy, making a full-scale entry into the global market for Korean children’s books and publishing content.

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the world’s largest rights fair dedicated to children’s publishing, drawing publishing professionals from more than 90 countries and approximately 1,500 companies each year. This year, Korea will focus on promoting the excellence of Korean picture books and children’s literature worldwide and achieving tangible export results, with a 352 m² exhibition space comprising an “Export Consultation Center” and an “Author Promotion Hall.”

39 Companies Join Export Consultation Center to Expand Rights Sales, with 100 Consigned Titles Supported

At the Export Consultation Center (280 m²), intensive one-on-one business meetings between Korean and international publishers will take place. A total of 39 Korean publishers, including Changbi Publishers, Sakyejul Publishing, and Dasan Books, will operate individual booths. At the same time, a specialized agency will conduct export consultations for 100 consigned titles from 27 companies unable to attend in person. Last year, 40 Korean publishers participated in the center and held a total of 556 export consultations.

In addition, support will be provided for smooth business negotiations through pre-arranged meetings with overseas buyers, the deployment of professional interpreters, and the production of an English-language directory introducing participating publishers’ books. On April 14, a “Networking Day” will be held to facilitate exchanges among domestic and international publishing professionals. After the fair, exhibited books will be donated to King Sejong Institute centers and local universities to expand local access to Korean publishing content.

Author Promotion Hall Showcases 15 Korean Children's Authors, with 109 Works on Display
Five Authors—KIM You-dae, PARK Kun-woong, SO Yun-kyung, LEE Seung-youn, and ZO O—to Lead Talks and Other Programs

The Author Promotion Hall (72 m²) will highlight the creativity and diversity of Korean children’s publishing by exhibiting representative works and original illustrations by 15 Korean authors. A total of 109 books will be displayed, including works by five authors attending the fair in person—KIM You-dae, PARK Kun-woong, SO Yun-kyung, LEE Seung-youn, and ZO O—as well as ten featured authors: KWON Jung-min, NOH In-kyung, AN Hyo-lim, YOON Kang-mi, LEE Su-yeon, LEE Soon-ok, CHO Soo-jin, JO Won-hee, HAA Soo-jung, and Wheelee. A total of 16 author programs will also be held to offer a fuller introduction to the creative worlds of Korean authors, including a picture-book workshop by KIM You-dae, a live drawing session by PARK Kun-woong based on People of Hwanggeum-dong, and a lecture by SO Yun-kyung on picture books that draw on traditional Korean motifs.

Special Spotlight on BolognaRagazzi Award Winners and Hans Christian Andersen Award Finalists

The fair will also feature special sessions spotlighting Korean authors and works gaining international recognition. A special lecture by author LEE Geum-yi, a finalist in the Writing category of the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA), often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of children’s literature,” will offer an in-depth look at her literary world. In addition, Book Talks and a special exhibition centered on works that won this year’s BolognaRagazzi Awards[1] in March will further highlight the global standing of Korean children’s publishing.

Director-General for Content and Media Industries Bureau at the MCST, said, “Once again this year, the news of Korean authors receiving BolognaRagazzi Awards has reaffirmed the strength of Korean picture books, making this a particularly meaningful moment for us.” She added, “As the Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the most important bridgehead for gauging the competitiveness of Korean children’s books in the global market, we will continue to actively support industry growth, including rights exports and local marketing efforts, so that outstanding Korean content can expand into overseas markets and create new added value.”