​(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)

Israel has participated in the Bologna Children's Book Fair for a number of years. This is the largest and most important children's literary fair in the world, and many agreements for translation, distribution and promotion of children's books are transacted. The participants range from large, established publishing houses to small and relatively unknown companies from many countries around the world.

Israel is a notable and respected publisher of children's literature, and produces dozens of new titles annually. Israeli companies excel at producing innovative content and artwork, a central component of this industry. The Israeli pavilion was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and produced by the cultural department of the Israeli embassy in Rome. For the first time, the pavilion was designed by Israeli illustrator Liora Grossman, who was inspired by the contours of “The White City" (Tel Aviv) and Israeli vistas. From the conceptual design aspect, this is an innovative investment that has not been undertaken previously. 

One hundred books in Hebrew and Arabic that were published between 2013 and 2106 were exhibited. A reception for important guests, publishers, officials of the Hebrew Literature Translation Institute and the fair management was held in the pavilion on Tuesday, 5 April 2016. Enthusiastic comments were received, and the pavilion drew special attention from the many passersby who stopped to photograph the innovative design and the cacti.