Children’s & young adults corner at the 22nd TBF
The TBF programme for children and young adults sets the tone with activities and events spreading across every corner of the fair and even beyond. The exhibition is taken over by children of all ages, turning the central theme of Reading Culture into reality, rather than just a motto!
Young visitors can look forward to meeting great authors and illustrators from Greece and abroad, embarking on adventures, treasure hunts, and mystery games, or enjoying book parties, crafts, and creative workshops, as well as theatrical and music-movement performances. The programme covers everything from children’s rights and the environment to history as we’ve never seen it before, beloved domestic and wild animals, modern and ancient sports, and introductions to distant places and languages – but also culinary journeys into the world’s kitchens! Encounters with pirates, storm chasers, scarecrows, and gentle giants, crocodiles, dinosaurs, and pixel witches go hand in hand with getting to know our friends, family, and ourselves better. It is an interactive, carefully curated programme that breaks down stereotypes, thrives on acceptance and inclusion, and encourages the expression of emotions and creativity.
A total of 104 events for children and teenagers are organized by 40 publishing houses and 17 educational and cultural institutions, 40 of which are specifically designed for organized student groups. On Thursday, May 7th, and Friday, May 8th, through the invaluable cooperation of the Regional Education Authority of Central Macedonia and the Primary and Secondary Education Directorates of Thessaloniki, the Fair will welcome more than 65 organized groups from Kindergartens, Primary, Secondary, and Special Education schools from Thessaloniki and the surrounding regions. This involves the participation of approximately 2,500 students in coordinated activities, while additional student groups will be visiting the Fair for tours independently of the scheduled events.
Events for and featuring children will take place at the Central Municipal Library of Thessaloniki.
Among them:
-What is Ex Libris – History and modern applications – Books as objects of memory and personal identity – From Ex Libris to memory: How a book becomes our own. Through the eyes of three illustrators – Angeliki Bozou, Eleni Tsaldiri, and Lela Stroutsi – we discover ways in which young and adult readers can cultivate a more personal, experiential relationship with books. Coordinated by Panagiota Strikou, author and creator of the podcast “Mamades me Roumi’’ (Mums with Rum). Organized by the Greek Section of IBBY – Cycle of the Greek Children’s Book.
-The Network of 8 Libraries organizes the event “Libraries for Children! Why Today?’’ and invites librarians, educators, and parents to shape a new vocabulary for libraries that will help them regain their lost charm. Speakers: Irini Vokotopoulou (Velvento Library), Petroula Voltsi (Karampournaki Settlement Library, Kalamaria), Eleni Korovila (journalist, Book Press). Author Giannis Palavos will intervene with a recorded video message.
The National Library of Greece, with the support of HFBC, organizes a series of workshops for children and adults at the Municipal Library:
-“Us and the world of fairy tales’’ – Experiential workshop for adults: Selected illustrated children’s books become the occasion for a creative journey which, utilizing techniques from drama games, visual arts, and creative writing, supports expression, inspiration, and the cultivation of imagination and creativity.
-“The book that I am’’: Children aged 8 and up leaf through books exploring the genre of “autobiography.’’ Then, through simple creative writing and visual art techniques, they create their own book with important moments of their own lives. The workshop combines drama games with creative writing and visual arts.
-“Who will solve the mystery?’’ Young and older detectives who have jumped out of books come together in a test of skills and inspiration, so that participating children aged 6 and up can create their own mystery story!
At the same time, throughout the Fair, associates of the National Library will inform the public about this year’s Summer Reading and Creativity Campaign, a nationwide institution for the development and promotion of reading appreciation, organized this year in collaboration with HFBC.
The Organization “Diavazontas Megalono’’ (By Reading I Grow), with the support of HFBC, has also prepared exciting activities for infants and toddlers at the Central Municipal Library (Children’s department):
-“With hiding places and surprises’’: Goni Louka, actress and reading activities facilitator, reads stories with heroes who hide and whom we discover in places we sometimes don’t expect, as well as books with moving parts that lead to the modification, concealment, or revelation of the image. The number of seats is limited and completion of a participation form is required at https://forms.gle/1aQ7SdaeQpF3HNBE6. For children aged 12-24 months.
-“Numbers in high spirits!’’: Goni Louka reads funny stories to children that have numbers and counting at their core. The number of seats is limited and completion of a participation form is required at https://forms.gle/1qphGTQZFNhGftqw5. For children aged 2-4.
-Do very young children need books? How important is it for children to grow up with stories and books? Why should we read to them? What types of books are addressed to infants and toddlers? How do we choose them? And how do we bring them to life? Speakers: Maria Bouri (pediatrician), Sissy Tsiflidou (educator), Ava Chalkiadaki (reading policies researcher, Diavazontas Megalono). Reading by Goni Louka.
At MOMus, the Greek Section of IBBY – Cycle of the Greek Children’s Book, with the support of HFBC, organizes two parallel Ex Libris Workshops:
–“From the last page of books to the front line of art.” Eleni Tsaldiri, artist-author, wonders: How many books do you have in your library? How many of them are strictly yours? On how many would you like to put your stamp so that no one else can claim they are theirs? We have found the way! You bring the imagination, we bring the technique, and we print your own Ex Libris. For children aged 8-12. Number of participants: up to 15 (on a first-come, first-served basis).
–“Put your stamp: The art of Ex Libris.” With Angeliki Bozou, artist-illustrator. Children travel through their imagination to an old library, where they discover old books and observe the Ex Libris stamps they carry. Through this experiential journey, they explore visual elements and gather information about the owners’ identities. Each child designs their own stamp, inspired by their personality or favourite stories and heroes, and uses it to stamp their books before lending them to friends! For children aged 6-10. Number of participants: up to 12 (on a first-come, first-served basis).
Also at MOMus, the Network for Children’s Rights, with the support of HFBC, organizes a workshop for children aged 5-8 titled “What brings us closer?”: A little BeeBot starts a journey into the kitchens of the world! Together with the children, it discovers flavours and stories hidden behind favourite recipes. Through play and exploration, children get a taste of different cultures and discover everything that unites us. With Koula Panagou, Educational Programmes Manager, and Thanasis Kotsovos, Children’s Library Manager.
At the TBF Children’s and Young Adult Corner, the Network for Children’s Rights, with the support of HFBC, is also setting up “The Memory of R!’’, a floor-based memory game through which children aged 6-9 will get to know the works of 47 renowned illustrators and artists, inspired by the Rights of the Child. Each pair of cards corresponds to an article of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, sparking discussion, reflection, and creative learning. Coordinated by: Koula Panagou, Educational Programmes Manager, and Thanasis Kotsovos, Children’s Library Manager.
Arts Exhibitions – Tributes
– HFBC, in collaboration with the Greek Section of IBBY – Cycle of the Greek Children’s Book, has prepared the major art exhibition “The Heroes’ Library: Ex Libris from Fantasy Literature’’:
What if our favourite literary heroes had their own library? What would their personal Ex Libris, the stamp they would use to mark their books, look like? How would it be designed to express their personality, interests, and universe? Greek illustrators draw inspiration from heroes of children’s, young adult, and classic literature to create artworks for imaginary Ex Libris stamps.
Participating illustrators and artists: Konstantina Archontaki, Stella Dimitrakopoulou, Mairilia Fotiadou, Emmanuela Kakavia, Natalia Kapatsoulia, Garyfallia Leftheri, Eleni Leonida, Kostis Makris, Dimitra Papadimitriou, Aikaterini Pouliasi, Evangelia Simantiri, Katerina Sotiropoulou, Daniela Stamatiadi, Fotini Stefanidi, Lela Stroutsi, Eleni Tsaldiri, Maria Tzampoura.
-At the same time, a Student Exhibition will be held: Following an open call, students of various ages are inspired by their favourite heroes from children’s, young adult, and classic literature to create artworks for their own imaginary Ex Libris stamps. Participating schools: 3rd Kindergarten of Thessaloniki, 26th Kindergarten of Thessaloniki, 1st Elementary School of Oreokastro, Mandoulides Schools, Kalamari French-Greek School.
-In collaboration with the Center for the Study and Dissemination of Myths and Folktales, HFBC has prepared a tribute to the Guest of Honour, Bulgaria, titled “BGR – Letters that Unite. Bridges and Passages’’:
This is an artistic and educational project based on the folk oral tradition of Bulgaria and Greece, utilizing live storytelling in combination with modern technological listening formats. Through narrations, audio traces, and the dissemination of content via podcasts, the project highlights the common ways in which stories travel from place to place and from generation to generation, acting as bridges of culture and memory between nations.
Authors from Abroad in the Children and Young Adults Programme
Swedish authors Camilla and Erica Hindborg, with the support of Creative Europe (Trans-European Journeys) and the Swedish Arts Council, will present the Greek edition of their book “The Sea’s Underwear’’ (Vakhikon Publications) to children aged 6-12.
Author Berislav Blagojević, along with his “library kittens,’’ has prepared a workshop for learning Cyrillic script for children aged 6-12, organized by the National and University Library of the Republic of SRPSKA.
Slovenian authors Andreja Peklar and Jana Bauer will present their books “How Do You Hug a Hedgehog?’’, “The Moon and Me,’’ and “A Thousand Birds’’ (Vakhikon Publications) and will conduct a craft workshop for children aged 6-9. Supported by Creative Europe (Connected with Books) and the Embassy of Slovenia in Greece.
Guests of the Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki include Austrian author Ursula Poznanski, who will present her award-winning YA thriller “Erebos’’ (Patakis Publications), about a mysterious online game that lures players into dangerous missions, and German author Carsten Henn with his “Golden Typewriter’’ who, together with the Gamecraft creative game group, invites children (ages 9+) to a live mystery game.
Spanish author Eulalia Canal invites children from age 5 for “Strawberry Tea in the Badger’s Den’’- “The Wolf’s Blue Secret’’ (Metaixmio Publications), along with Bear, Badger, Wolf, and Squirrel, four friends who can change the world when they are together!
Photos of the illustrators’ and students’ Ex Libris exhibition can be found HERE. General photos of the exhibition can be found HERE.
The complete programme of the 22nd TBF is posted on its website: thessalonikibookfair.gr/programme. Explore the sections and discover the events you wish to attend! Information and details about the event and all Press Releases can be found on the bilingual website thessalonikibookfair.gr, which, as the social media managed by HFBC, will be constantly updated and enriched.
The Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TBF) is organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture (HFBC) in collaboration with TIF–HELEXPO, Greek publishers, and the Municipality of Thessaloniki, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Region of Central Macedonia. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, within the framework of the ROP Central Macedonia 2021-2027. TBF is a member of the International Book Fairs Forum and the European Book Fairs Network ALDUS UP.
