SHARJAH, 28th March 2015 (WAM) --- The quest to inspire a new generation of children's book illustrators, and in turn a new generation of children's book readers, has gained critical acclaim as the Bologna Children's Book Fair enters its 52nd year.
As part of the prestigious publishing platform, four budding illustrators from the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, who are participating in Warsha, the Etisalat Award Workshop, were chosen by the award’s organisers, the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) to attend the Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Caf? 2015, which forms part of the fair’s professional programme.
Warsha, which was launched at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2013, is a division of the prestigious Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature. This trailblazing initiative aims to support and inspire a new generation of writers, illustrators, and publishers who are passionate about creating Arabic books for children and young adults in the infant to 18 year age range.
The programme consists of a range of workshops in illustration, writing, and publishing, as well as the opportunity for participants to gain international exposure. The aim is to build the capacities of young individuals in the creation of books that are rooted in local Arabic culture and that both meet and exceed international standards.
The Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Caf? forms part of the heart of the Children’s Book Fair, giving people the chance to get together to discuss the sector’s novelties, meet publishers, writers and favourite artists, or to introduce themselves to professionals looking for new talent. Running over four days, from the 30 March till 2 of April, the Illustrators Caf? 2015 will offer a rich programme of events including the chance to meet with award-winning illustrators and a variety of lectures and workshops that explore the most pressing needs of the illustration community.
During their time at the four-day event, the participating illustrators will be exposed to other illustrators, writers and publishers from over 75 countries around the world. Here they'll have the opportunity to spread the word on the Arabic pulse points that influence their stories and gain insight into the working of the international illustration sector.
Speaking about the decision to take the four illustrators to the Bologna Children's Book Fair, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY Executive Board said, "The importance of the Bologna Children's Book Fair as a platform is unparalleled and together with the Warsha initiative we're working to elevate the skill of Illustrators both literal and visual within the region, by providing them with international exposure."
"The programme is designed to give young illustrators the opportunity to hone their skills while they explore the intricate relationship between image and word. "
Through this workshop series, these four talents emerged with a flair for innovation and creation that is parallel with the programmes’ purpose: to create books filled with original imagery that entices and intrigues the minds of Arabic children.
WAM/MMYS