The Polish Book Institute

Ukraine is undoubtedly in the spotlight at the ongoing Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Last year, the Ukrainian stand was symbolically empty; now, visitors to the event can enjoy a moving exhibition of Ukrainian illustrators.

The Book Institute purchased 7,000 copies of books for children and young people from five Ukrainian publishers. It is one of the components of the project "Give a book to Ukrainian children", which the Book Institute runs together with the Foundation Metropolia Dzieci (Children's Metropolis Foundation). The first shipment with over two thousand books arrived in Krakow on Tuesday. They will be distributed to provincial public libraries, from where they will also be sent to smaller centres to enable young Ukrainians in Poland to enjoy them and escape the horrors of war.

This year's edition of the Bologna Children's Book Fair is unique not only because the fair is returning as an in-person event. The organisers of the fair did not forget about Ukraine, and, after consultation with the Ukrainian Book Institute and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, they provided a large free display stand for Ukraine. The empty stand is somewhat a manifesto of support.