Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Argentina
The Argentine Republic celebrates its participation as Guest of Honor
of the Bologna Children's Book Fair. This distinction represents acknowledgement
of the artistic quality of children's and young people's literature, its
editors, writers, and in particular, especially the hundreds of illustrators
who, through their creations and involvement, encourage children's reading,
turning books into attractive objects which incite children to develop
their imagination.
The Bologna Fair represents a meeting point for all these creators, where
they have a chance to exhibit their work; a window to the world visited
by the most distinguished professionals in the field.
Promoting children's reading is a priority for our country's cultural
policy, knowing that a child who reads, will in the future be a freer man
committed to different aspects of his society.
Supporting the presence of our illustrators in Bologna, represents great
honor and satisfaction for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Worship and
International Trade, since we know these artists are privileged representatives
of the wide cultural potential of Argentina.
We have seen the commitment with which the Forum's organizing committees
have approached the event in Bologna, with total professionalism and keeping
in my mind the diversity inherent in the Argentine culture.
During the last few years, our country has been distinguished as Guest
of Honor by different international book fairs: Santo Domingo 2006, Havana
and Caracas 2007, and in all of them, the wide variety of children's books
has been emphasized by the organizers of these events, as well as by authors
and readers.
Bologna is another milestone in this international calendar dedicated
to literature with a peculiar characteristic: this fair is dedicated to
children, the opinion makers of the future, and on whom all cultural efforts
should be focused, in order to build a more fair and supportive future.
Despite some painful economical and institutional crisis our country has
lived through, its artists and the will power of all involved in the book
world, have always been testimony of facts through their work and strengthened
the memory of our people.
In this opportunity, this particular exhibit will include the 32 Argentinean
illustrators chosen specifically by a distinguished jury. In addition to
the Exhibit, the Catalogue will include 48 other illustrators and another
100 in the CD, turning these publications into a means to spread the artists'
creative abilities, as well as a witness to a cultural chapter deeply related
to the history of Argentinean children's books publishing.
If reading is beauty, the illustrated book adds to that quality a property
that turns it into an art object. Perhaps many of the great painters of
the 20th century would have never felt their career fulfilled if they had
not illustrated the work of the great writers of their time: Picasso, Matisse,
Miró, and in our country, Castagnino, Alonso, and Spilimbergo, among
others.
We hope the presence of our illustrators in Bologna 2008 will allow the
world to appreciate the renowned creativity of their work and for them
to continue building and making Argentinean published books more beautiful,
for the enjoyment of children and young people.
Therefore, we invite you to approach our artists not only through their
work, but through the dialogue particularly encouraged by this fair.
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