Once again, terrific success for Bulgaria! Illustrators Yassen Grigorov and Ina Hristova are among the finalists on the long list for the Illustrators’ Exhibition at the 62nd International Children’s Book Fair in Bologna. The two are among the 324 illustrators selected as finalists out of a total of 4,374 nominated artists from all over the world.
Yassen Grigorov has been selected to represent Bulgaria with his illustrations for the book Sweet Pet Mosquito (author: Zornitsa Hristova, Tochitsa Publishing House, 2024). Ina Hristova has been selected with her personal project Once Upon a Time, supported by the Mexican Cultural Fund in 2024.
The selection of Yassen and Ina for this year’s Illustrators’ Exhibition is also a return to the Fair for both of them. So far, Grigorov has participated in the Illustrators’ Exhibition several times, even winning the Bologna Ragazzi Special Award in 2002. The two were also among the selected artists in the exhibition Joy, Sadness and Hope. 25 Bulgarian Illustrators of Children’s Books, part of Bulgaria’s 2024 representation with the Bulgarian Books for Kids pavilion, organized by the Association for Culture and Literature. Yassen Grigorov’s illustrations were again from Sweet Pet Mosquito, and Ina Hristova was represented with her illustrations for the book A Child’s Christmas in Wales (author: Dylan Thomas, List Publishing, 2019).
The Illustrators’ Exhibition is one of the most prestigious formats worldwide, with its more than 60-year history. The participation of each artist in it is a unique opportunity for visibility and professional growth. The opportunity that each finalist illustrator has – to be chosen to create the visual identity of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2026 – should not be underestimated. As the organizer of the Bulgarian Books for Kids pavilion, which will present Bulgarian children’s books at the Fair for the third consecutive year, we at the Association for Culture and Literature will once again support the worthy presentation of Yassen Grigorov and Ina Hristova to the international audience.
