The Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026
Norway is the guest country at the world’s largest children’s and young adult book fair
With Norway as the Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy, 13–16 April 2026, we wish to seize this major opportunity to present children’s and young adult literature from Norway to the whole world.
For the Norwegian book industry, this is a fantastic chance to showcase its important work to a broad professional audience. The literature, authors, and illustrators create the stories that other cultural industries, such as film, gaming, and music, draw income from.
The initiative will also inspire a love of reading and remind us of how crucial reading is, both for children’s imagination and their future education.
The road to BCBF 2026 will be filled with a rich programme of author meetings, illustration workshops, and cross-border collaborations. Norwegian voices and visual storytellers will take part throughout the entire process: from the preliminary programme and the fair week itself to a major illustration exhibition that can also be experienced afterwards.
NORLA is responsible for the project and works closely with Norwegian publishers, agents, authors and illustrators, as well as international translators, literary and cultural actors, the Norwegian Embassy in Rome, and a wide range of partners abroad. Together we will showcase to the world the creative breadth and quality of Norwegian children’s and young adult literature.
Stay tuned for updates.
Activities Leading Up to the Book Fair in April 2026
The programmes are being finalised, and we look forward to sharing more details in due course.
2025
Sep. Industry meeting in Oslo for Norwegian stakeholders
Sep. International expert visit to Norway
Sep.–Dec. On the Road to Bologna: international activities in several countries
Dec. Programme launch at the Book Fair in Rome
2026
Feb. Angoulême Book Fair, France
Feb. Press visit: international journalists in Norway
Norway’s Guest of Honour Project – Activities 2022–2025
2025
April Announcement of Norway as Guest of Honour at the Bologna Book Fair
April Announcement of the jury for the illustration exhibition
April Launch of the translation grant scheme for children’s and young adult books
May Launch of New Voices, a talent development programme for emerging authors
June Visitor programme in Oslo for children’s book publishers
2024
Sep. Industry gathering for Italian publishers in Oslo
Nov. Input meeting for the Norwegian book industry
Dec. Networking event at the Book Fair in Rome
2023
May Opening conference in Lillehammer
2022
Sep. Signing of the agreement for Norway as Guest of Honour in 2026
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) at a Glance
The world’s largest children’s book fair, established in 1960
Meeting place for the international children’s book industry
31,700 visitors and 1,523 exhibitors from 94 countries
A key arena for children’s book illustration
The fair is industry-focused, with public-oriented activities taking place across the city of Bologna
The Guest of Honour country is at the centre of attention from the media, the industry, and the public during the fair itself. In addition, many new meeting places are created before and after the projects, both in Norway and internationally.
