Norway is the Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children’s and Young Adult Book Fair

We are very pleased that Norway will be the Guest of Honour at the world’s largest children’s and young adult book fair, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, in 2026. Norwegian children’s and young adult literature is rich in both expression and genres and addresses a wide range of themes that engage readers of all ages. The Guest of Honour programme offers a unique opportunity to showcase this breadth and bring our stories to the world.

We look forward to presenting the full diversity of literature and illustration from Norway for children and young people in Bologna.
As the motto for our Guest of Honour appearance, we have chosen the two small magical words that open up an entire world: What if.

Program

We look forward to warmly welcoming all visitors to the Norwegian pavilion with the stage Norway Café in Hall 30 / A12-B9.
We also hope many will take this unique opportunity to visit the illustration exhibition with 49 artists from Norway, in addition to experiencing the variety of events both around the fair grounds, and in the city of Bologna.

See the complete Norwegian Guest of Honour program here

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is an international meeting place for the children’s book industry and has a strong focus on illustration.
Each year, it welcomes 30,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors from 90 countries.

Upcoming activities

June 16-June 19

Oslo, Norway

Fellowship in Oslo (Non-fiction literature)

NORLA has the pleasure of inviting foreign publishers and editors of non-ficiton literature to apply for our fellowship program, which this year will take place in Oslo from June 16 – 19.

August 1

Application deadline: Author and lecturer visits to institutions of higher learning abroad

NORLA administrates the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ scheme for travel grants for authors and lecturers who will visit institutions of higher learning abroad where instruction is given in the Norwegian language.

September 1

Application deadline: Sample translation of Norwegian literature

Publishers, agents and translators abroad and in Norway can apply to NORLA for subsidies for sample translations.