A historic delegation travels to Bologna to represent Chile at the Children's Book Fair.

With a delegation composed of 47 members, Chile is preparing to participate in the 63rd edition of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, marking the largest presence of the country at this international event on record. The delegation—made up of illustrators, writers, and representatives from publishing houses, agencies, and foundations—was sent off during a ceremony held yesterday, led by the Minister of Cultures, Francisco Undurraga, at the National Library. During the event, some of the artists donated eight works to the Archive of Chilean Graphics.

Among the notable names in the delegation are recognized illustrators such as Paloma Valdivia, Gabriela Germain, Karina Cocq, Sol Díaz, and Pato Mena, among other representatives from the national graphic and publishing fields. Minister Undurraga emphasized the cultural role of the delegation, stating that they not only represent their works but also the diversity and vitality of the country. In this regard, Chile's participation aims to strengthen the internationalization of the children's and youth publishing industry, a sector that has gained traction in markets like Italy, considered a key gateway to Europe.

From a commercial perspective, Chile's trade attaché in Italy, Felipe Repetto, highlighted that this presence constitutes a strategic opportunity to expand the reach of national publishers, illustrators, and cultural agents in a market that recorded nearly US$500,000 in exports of publishing services in 2025. Chile's participation will also be marked by significant nominations for international awards such as the Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and the Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2026, reinforcing the global recognition of Chilean creation in this field. Furthermore, the delegation is part of a long-term strategy projecting the country's presence in international forums, including its role as the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2027.

Mauricio Hurtado explained that this participation is part of a policy that positions culture as a strategic asset in foreign policy. This year, the Chilean pavilion in Bologna will revolve around the theme “The Year of Mythology in Chile: Echo of Shared Words,” inspired by the National Plan for Reading, Writing, and Orality. The proposal aims to highlight oral tradition, myths, and legends, as well as cultural exchange between generations, in dialogue with the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Chiloé's independence.

The graphic identity of the stand was developed by Elisa Monsalve, winner of the Marta Brunet Award 2025, who is also part of the delegation representing Chile at one of the main global stages for children's and youth literature.