FROM BOLOGNA TO THE WORLD: Illustrators exhibition opens in Beijing

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The Bologna Illustrators Exhibition has traveled to Beijing's Today Art Museum, bringing the spirit of the Bologna Children's Book Fair to kids in the Chinese capital.

This is a must-see exhibition for anyone who's interested in picture books.

It showcases 375 works by 76 illustrators from around the world and takes visitors through half a century of illustration.

Photo from Today Art Museum

It brings together a selection of the world's most innovative illustrators. They were carefully chosen by a professional jury from among the thousands of entries of the 2017 edition of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, which is considered the most important international event dedicated to children's publishing.

Ramon Paris, an illustrator from Venezuela, is one of them.

"These illustrations tell the story of a girl who cannot fall asleep because she's afraid of the darkness," says Paris.

With diverse themes and a kid-friendly arrangement, the exhibition attracts both adult and young visitors.

"Illustrations talk directly to children. When they are young, their language is not so developed. But here they can directly relate to the illustrations. It's a language they can understand," says one visitor.

Photo from Today Art Museum

The Bologna Illustrators Exhibition was launched by the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 1967. Over the years, it has become internationally renowned for excellence and innovation in the field of illustration.

This is the third year that the exhibition has been held in China. A selection of nearly 100 illustrations by renowned Chinese artists such as Feng Zikai and Zhang Leping is also on display.

"We hope that more Chinese illustrators, editors, and readers will come and visit because this exhibition displays the best of children's illustration from around the world. It's an important opportunity for those working in children’s literature in China to learn from their peers overseas," says Wang Shaohua, curator of the exhibition.

A range of illustration salons, classes and lectures will run parallel to the exhibition, which runs through Aug. 30.