Estonian president to open world's largest children’s book fair

TALLINN - President Alar Karis, patron of the Year of the Estonian Book, is to open the international book fair in Bologna, Italy, on Monday, with Estonia being this year's guest of honor at the world's largest event dedicated to children's and youth literature.

Nearly 100 Estonian authors and illustrators will be represented at the fair, and Estonia's guest of honor program features more than 25 events. In addition to the president, Minister of Culture Heidy Purga will also attend the fair. The Estonian Publishers' Association, in cooperation with the Estonian Children's Literature Center, has had a booth at the Bologna fair since 2008.

The Bologna Book Fair is the largest event dedicated to children's literature, showcasing millions of books and drawing thousands of writers, illustrators, translators, and publishers from around the world. It is aimed primarily at professionals working in the field.

The purpose of Estonia's participation is to present original local works to foreign publishers for translation, so Estonian children's literature can reach readers in many other languages. Currently, about 40 translated works of Estonian children's literature are published each year, while several hundred original titles are released annually in Estonia.

The Year of the Estonian Book runs from Estonian Literature Day on Jan. 30 until Language Day on March 14 next year. Participation in the Bologna Book Fair is one of the year's key international events.