This is a conceptual image of the Author Promotion Center at the Korean Pavilion to be installed at this year's Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy. (Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea)

By Kim Hyelin

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism from April 8-11 will take part in this year's Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy along with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea.

Launched in 1963, the annual fair is the world's largest specialized market for trading the rights to children's literature. Over 1,400 publishers and 5,000 participants from around the world gather to share the latest in publishing information and trade the overseas copyrights to publish and translate works.

For the 2024-25 Year of Cultural Exchange between Korea and Italy to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Korea will aggressively expand its participation in the event.

The Korea Pavilion will be greatly enlarged from 96 square m last year to 224 square m this year and divided into an author promotion center and an export counseling center. The number of children's literature authors to be introduced at this section will be tripled from six last year to 18 this year.

The author center will highlight 15 domestic writers including Kang Han, Kim Sang-keun and Lee Myung-ae and 67 of their leading works. Book talks by six authors will feature Kyung Hye-won, Kim Jian, Noh In-kyung, Oh Sena and Lee Geum-yi.

The export center will introduce the best of writer Lee Geum-yi, one of the six finalists for this year's Hans Christian Andersen Prize, the world's top award for children's literature, and Yeonju Choi and Seo Hyun, winners of this year's BolognaRagazzi Award of Italy.

One hundred books commissioned by 36 publishers will also be designated for export counseling.

The ministry has thoroughly prepared for the fair including dispatching experts to promote Korean children's literature and creating an effective export platform. Ahead of the event, an English-language directory with information on publishers and their books will be distributed to overseas buyers and on-site consultations will be held after publishers and buyers are connected.

Kim Yong-sup, director-general of the ministry's Media Policy Division, said, "Since Korean picture books have recently swept top children's literature awards overseas and play a leading role in the export of intellectual property rights, we are committed to supporting them so that they can lead the global market."

kimhyelin211@korea.kr