Two Bulgarian Illustrators to Participate in Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Two Bulgarian artists, Yassen Grigorov and Ina Hristova, are among the finalists to be showcased in the “Illustrators’ Exhibition” at the 62nd Bologna Children’s Book Fair. They are among the 324 artists selected from a total of 4,374 nominations from around the world, the Association of Culture and Literature said.

Yasen Grigorov was selected to represent Bulgaria with his illustrations for the book “Sweet Pet Mosquito” by Zornitsa Hristova. Ina Hristova was selected with her personal project “Once Upon a Time”, supported by Mexico’s cultural fund in 2024.

Grigorov has participated several times in Bologna’s “Exhibition of Illustrators” and in 2002 he won the special award “Bologna Ragazzi”. They were also among the artists selected for an exhibition “Joy, Sadness and Hope. 25 Bulgarian illustrators of children’s books”, part of Bulgaria’s presentation in 2024 at the Bulgarian Books for Kids pavilion. Yassen Grigorov’s illustrations were again from “Sweet Pet Mosquito”, while Ina Hristova was represented with her illustrations for the book “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas.

In the framework of this year’s participation we are again preparing an exhibition with Bulgarian illustrators, supported by the Ministry of Culture, says Elena Georgieva, organizer of the Bulgarian participation in Bologna Children’s Book Fair and project manager at the Association for Culture and Literature.

Yassen Grigorov lives and works in Sofia. He is an illustrator, painter and film director. As an illustrator he has published over 60 books for various publishers. He has won the French Prix OctoGones award for children’s literature and the award of the Union of Bulgarian Film Critics. His book, “If I Were a Colour”, is featured in the White Ravens catalogue of 2022. 

Ina Hristova lives and works in Jalapa, Mexico. She works actively for Spanish, Mexican and Bulgarian publishers. She is the coordinator of Estudio Lapis, where she organizes illustration, design and creative process labs. She is art director of the Buboleche publishing house. She participates in festivals for graphic design and illustration, and has won the Junceda and Flic awards.