Next edition: 15-17 march 2013

Next edition: March 15-17, 2013

The fair taught, entertained and allowed to develop

It was colourful, cheerful, yet smart and interesting at the 11th  Poznań Trade Fair Meetings - Books for Children and Young People. The latest publishing offer targeted at the younger generation was presented by  56 exhibitors, with leading Polish publishing houses among them. An attractive program of events attracted crowds of visitors.

Children with their parents, young people, teachers with students, as well as those involved in the creation of culture and the popularisation of reading, such as booksellers and librarians, came to this unusual meeting with a book. Those who create books: publishers, illustrators and writers also met at the fair. The 11th Poznań Trade Fair Meetings - Books for Children and Young People and held at the same time the 16th Education Fair and the School Equipment Exhibition, were visited by over 30,000 people.

Beautiful books

One could find true works of art at the exhibition stands, books, in which good literature is accompanied by great illustrations. The publishers brought a lot of interesting items, among them many novelties. The Media Rodzina publisher presented, among others, "Blumka's Diary" by Iwona Chmielewska - a Polish writer and illustrator known in the world and especially valued in Korea and a new translation of "Pinocchio", illustrated by Roberto Innocenti. The painterly vision of the story has been recognised by the "New Yorker" as the most beautiful edition of "Pinocchio" published so far. Among various positions promoted by the Dwie Siostry publisher, the attention was drawn to educational books published as part of a series  S.E.R.I.A. – the first book D.O.M.E.K. has already turned out to be a huge success,  it has been published in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy and New Zealand. Small readers were delighted to look through the book "Opowieść" presented by the Mila publisher, written by Joanna Papuzińska and illustrated by Stasys Eidrigevicius. There were a lot of similar publishing gems at the fair. Book lovers had a range of books to choose from.

Wonderful creators

The direct promotion of books at the exhibitors' stands were often accompanied by meetings with writers and illustrators. They provided extraordinary emotions and unforgettable memories. There were over 50 of them held. The participants included, among others: Iwona Chmielewska, Andrzej Maleszka, Joanna Papuzińska and Bohdan Butenko. One could talk to a favourite author, obtain an autograph or a personal dedication. Sometimes the writers read their books at the stand, and sometimes they even sang, as for example Tomasz Szwed, the author of "Klinika Małych Zwierząt w Leśnej Górce".

Magical illustrations

Illustrations published in books for children have a tremendous influence on the development of their imagination and sensitivity, they also support the intellectual and emotional development. Cross-sectional presentations of the illustration art have already become a tradition of the Poznań Trade Fair Meetings. The meetings of children and illustrators and various workshops were held in the Illustrators' Salon, in which alongside renowned artists, also young artists presented their work. In total, the work of over 40 artists was shown in the Illustrators' Salon  and at the "IBBY Awards” exhibition. As part of a series "Masters of Illustration", the exhibition of work of Iwona Chmielewska, the author of the so-called picture books, was presented. A direct meeting with her was a great experience for children, for the author did not only guide them around the exhibition of her work and talked about books, but also revealed the secrets of creating an image, showing how, when opening up to fantasy, one can create stories out of a detail, such as an imprinted iron or colour pencil trace.

The fair dedicated to Janusz Korczak

This year's 11th edition of the Poznań Trade Fair Meetings - Books for Children and Young People, organised in the Year of Janusz Korczak,  were dedicated  to this outstanding educator and friend of children. Marek Michalak - the Ombudsman for Children, Prof. Irena Obuchowska, Prof. Joanna Papuzińska and Iwona Chmielewska took part in the organised at the fair panel meeting,  "In the world of the Janusz Korczak". During the fair, one could also visit the exhibition "Korczak and his work", created under the artistic direction of Prof. Janusz Stanny. A meeting with the author, Iwona Chmielewska, was largely devoted to her book "Blumka's Diary", a moving story of children from an orphanage run by Janusz Korczak, written in the language of children and supplemented with unique drawings.

During the fair, also the winners of a nationwide competition for students of primary and secondary schools, "The small and big ones - a thing about friendship", dedicated to the memory of Janusz Korczak, were awarded. Partner cities of Poznań: Brno, Gyor and Hanover presented foreign publications of books about Janusz Korczak.

Promotion through play

Books and reading were promoted at the fair in many ways. The extraordinary power  of the influence of books  was most evident during the organised at the fair plays. Księgarnia Poznańska tried to interest young readers in a series of books, in which the main character is Cecylka Knedelek, by organising various games, such as felt cookies preparation. The children were delighted. They were happy to participate in a workshop "With a word and clay", during which  reading fairy tales was combined with moulding in clay, and in an architectural and urban planning workshop, as well as in an educational and artistic workshop "Become a discoverer". They especially enjoyed competitions. The Mała Wielkopolska group invited children to a play at the "Books' carnival”.  A board game "Posnania – budujemy miasto” ("Posnania - we are building the city") had its special promotion. The Fairytale Tram, the interior of which was turned into a shark's belly was riding on the streets of Poznań. You could meet Pinocchio and Gepetto there and listen to fairytales. The tram arrived at the Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie.

Trade fair meetings

The diverse and rich offer of this year's fair also interested publishers, illustrators, writers, booksellers, librarians and research communities. Trade fair meetings encourage discussions on various forms of cooperation. The promoters of culture, reading and librarians could discuss the most effective actions to promote reading books. The interest in such meetings was very high - for example, the conference  "Library and the Child" was attended by 200 librarians. During a panel discussion "A Taboo in Art for Children", which referred to a project implemented by the Danish Cultural Institute, participants talked about how parents and children need to deal with such difficult subjects as e.g. death.

At the stand of the Polish Association of Book Publishers, a constant actions: "At the publishing start", "A book seeks a publisher" and "Buy a book and give it as a gift" were conducted. The foundation ABCXXI - All of Poland Reads to Kids inaugurated at the fair the third edition of the Astrid Lindgren's Literary Contest on a contemporary book for children and adolescents.

Pegazik awards

Traditionally, during the opening ceremony of the fair, eminent authors and persons and institutions that inculcate children with the love of books, were awarded with Pegazik awards. This year the awards were received by: Iwona Chmielewska in the category: "children's book author" and Krystyna Adamczak in the category: "friend of children's books".

We invite you to the 12th Poznań Trade Fair Meetings - Books for Children and Young People in March 2013. It will be even more interesting.