Dates of event :
from: 4. 10. 2023
to: 3. 12. 2023
Venue :
BIBIANA, International House of Art for Children, Panská 41, Bratislava
275 illustrators from 36 countries with 2072 illustrations from a total of 355 books. The numbers for this year's international celebration of illustration. Bratislava comes alive with them every other year. It attracts children's books enthusiasts not only from Slovakia, but from all over the world — and this autumn is no exception.
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) — the international competitive exhibition of original illustrations of books for children and young people, opens its 29th year on 4 October 2023. Until 3 December — it will present the best creations in the world of children's illustration in the last 2 years.
This year's BIB brings a number of novelties and the return of illustration to the city centre — so to say directly to the people. All exhibitions and accompanying programmes are within walking distance of Bratislava’s historic centre, allowing to combine the celebration of illustration with sightseeing and exploring the city centre.
The current 29th year of the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava is dedicated to the distinguished Slovak illustrator, painter, graphic artist and sculptor Miroslav Cipár, one of the masterminds behind the creation of the BIB itself and also created its timeless iconic logo. He will also be commemorated by the exhibition “Miroslav Cipár to Children” at the University Library in Bratislava.
Competition exhibition in BIBIANA
The competition part of BIB 2023, which is governed by the Statutes and Organisaztion order BIB 2023 — will be held at BIBIANA, International House of Art for Children. The eleven-member international jury will judge and evaluate 2,072 original illustrations from all over the world. Its members will present their decision on the BIB awards (Grand Prix, 5 Golden Apples, 5 Plaques and Honorable Mention to the Publisher) at an international press conference held on Wednesday 4.10. The Children's jury, under the patronage of Fifík magazine — will also present its prize.
Other non-statutory prizes awarded at this year's BIB will also be announced at the press conference: The Mayor's Prize and the 365.bank Award.
BIBIANA has adjusted the opening hours for the convenience of visitors, the interactive accompaniment of schools and the audience’s expected interest in the BIB. During the BIB 2023, the International House of Art for Children on Panská Street will be open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, presenting the competitive international illustration show every half an hour starting at 10:00 am.
At the castle, in the gallery and elsewhere - accompanying activities of the BIB 2023
The visitors may also attend various accompanying activities and other exhibitions at several locations in Bratislava — in the galleries and institutions in this city’s centre, i.e. in the Hall of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, the Bratislava City Gallery, the University Library of Bratislava, on the West-Terrace of Bratislava Castle and Hviezdoslav Square (Hviezdoslavo námestie). The cooperation with cultural institutes and galleries continues as well.
BIB also includes the traditional International symposium held on October 5 and 6, as well as the Albín Brunovský BIB-UNESCO Workshop, which will take place at the Academy of Fine Arts.
The West-Terrace of Bratislava Castle houses an exhibition of works by the awardees of 3 non-statutory prizes of BIB 2021 called “TRI” (Three) (Jana Kiselová-Siteková - Postal Bank Prize, Zuzana Bočkayová Bruncková - Mayor's Prize and Fabienne Delacroix, France - Children's Jury Prize). The yard and exhibition hall of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic will present the winner of the Grand Prix BIB 2021 Elena Odriozola, as well as the winners of the H. Ch. Andersen Award for 2022 - Suzy Lee for illustration and Marie-Aude Murail for literature under the title Hall of Fame.
The exhibition Awardees of the Children's Jury Prize will be on display at the City Gallery and the exhibition will be accompanied by Sunday workshops for children.
Workshops and accompanying programmes will take place not only at BIBIANA, but also at several other venues in the city. A new mobile app, website and BIBIANA's social networks will help visitors find their way around.
The first year of the BIB International Exhibition of Illustration was held as early as 1967. The current 29th BIB will be held under the auspices of Zuzana Čaputová, the President of the Slovak Republic, the Minister of Culture Silvia Hroncova and the Mayor of Bratislava Matúš Vall. The event is organised in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), with the kind support of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The main organiser is BIBIANA, the International House of Art for Children.
The general partner of this illustration event is “365 bank”, the main media partner is the Radio and Television of Slovakia.
Mobile app:
