October 21, 2021: Visit to the International House of Arts for Children BIBIANA and BIB2021 - Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava 2021
2021/12/8
On Thursday I visited the exhibition of original illustrations of children's books BIB 2021 - Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava 2021, which takes place in Bratislava Castle from October 15, 2021 to January 9, 2022. Before that, however, I stopped at the International House of Arts BIBIANA, which is the organizer of BIB 2021, and talked to its director, Ing. Peter Tvrdoň.
The Bratislava International Competition of Original Illustrations of Children's Books (Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava - BIB) is one of the oldest international competitions of children book illustrations in the world. It has been held regularly every two years since 1967.
The very first Grand Prix, the main prize of the Bratislava Biennial of Illustration, was won in 1967 by the Japanese picture book author Yasuo Segawa, who became famous for his works "Hide and Seek" and "Miracle Mushroom". Since then, many Japanese artists have been awarded at BIB, and the event has become very prestigious for Japanese authors - children book illustrators. 380 authors from 42 countries submitted their works to this year's biennial. Among them are 15 Japanese.
Slovakia is a country that values classic printed and hardcover books. This summer, on July 15, I participated at the awarding of the "The Most Beautiful Books of Slovakia" at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. I was very impressed by the competition because I perceived through it how much the Slovak culture respects printed books - bearers of human wisdom, even in this modern digital age.
Both BIB and the Competition for the Most Beautiful Books in Slovakia, which have a history of more than 50 years, show that this positive attitude towards books is also being transferred to the world of children's books. By the way, the main organizer of both events is BIBIANA.
BIBIANA, the International Art House for Children, was established in 1987 as a partner of a world-famous event with a long tradition - of the Bratislava Biennial of Illustration. At present, it also focuses on the presentation of artistic activities that are beneficial and irreplaceable for the development of children and youth. They have developed their work to such an extent that BIBIANA today can easily be called an art experience center for children and young people, where they can experience art using various innovative methods that are sure to attract the attention of each of us. At BIBIANA, children can experience and try out various artistic activities, such as drawing pictures using various techniques and aids, freely creating forms from block-shaped materials or wooden cubes. There are no limits for their imagination ... It seems that in other countries there is nothing the same, or at least similar, institution that would support artistic activities for children and youth in such an extent.
As I wrote in my article about the visit to Topoľčany (October 5), I absolutely agree with the idea that I encountered during the interview with the representatives of the local art school, and which reappeared during my visit to BIBIANA - that the artistic elements and their introduction to upbringing and education are very important for the proper and full development of a child. Otherwise, did you know that Andy Warhol's roots go back to Slovakia?
However, what impressed me extraordinarily is the fact that the activities of BIBIANA, or the BIB and BAB shows - Biennial of Animation Bratislava (festival of animated works for children organized every two years), are supported from the budget of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. I think the idea that the nation invests generously in the artistic activities needed for the healthy development of children and young people is wonderful.
A traveling exhibition entitled "Bratislava Biennial of Illustrations in Japan" is currently taking place in Japan. The exhibition presents original works by authors of picture books for children from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Japan, which were exhibited at BIB in 2019. It is open to the public until November 7 at the Municipal Art Museum in Chigasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture. What do you think, isn't it a good idea where to go for Slovak culture? For a culture that values books.
The Bratislava International Competition of Original Illustrations of Children's Books (Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava - BIB) is one of the oldest international competitions of children book illustrations in the world. It has been held regularly every two years since 1967.
The very first Grand Prix, the main prize of the Bratislava Biennial of Illustration, was won in 1967 by the Japanese picture book author Yasuo Segawa, who became famous for his works "Hide and Seek" and "Miracle Mushroom". Since then, many Japanese artists have been awarded at BIB, and the event has become very prestigious for Japanese authors - children book illustrators. 380 authors from 42 countries submitted their works to this year's biennial. Among them are 15 Japanese.
Slovakia is a country that values classic printed and hardcover books. This summer, on July 15, I participated at the awarding of the "The Most Beautiful Books of Slovakia" at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. I was very impressed by the competition because I perceived through it how much the Slovak culture respects printed books - bearers of human wisdom, even in this modern digital age.
Both BIB and the Competition for the Most Beautiful Books in Slovakia, which have a history of more than 50 years, show that this positive attitude towards books is also being transferred to the world of children's books. By the way, the main organizer of both events is BIBIANA.
BIBIANA, the International Art House for Children, was established in 1987 as a partner of a world-famous event with a long tradition - of the Bratislava Biennial of Illustration. At present, it also focuses on the presentation of artistic activities that are beneficial and irreplaceable for the development of children and youth. They have developed their work to such an extent that BIBIANA today can easily be called an art experience center for children and young people, where they can experience art using various innovative methods that are sure to attract the attention of each of us. At BIBIANA, children can experience and try out various artistic activities, such as drawing pictures using various techniques and aids, freely creating forms from block-shaped materials or wooden cubes. There are no limits for their imagination ... It seems that in other countries there is nothing the same, or at least similar, institution that would support artistic activities for children and youth in such an extent.
As I wrote in my article about the visit to Topoľčany (October 5), I absolutely agree with the idea that I encountered during the interview with the representatives of the local art school, and which reappeared during my visit to BIBIANA - that the artistic elements and their introduction to upbringing and education are very important for the proper and full development of a child. Otherwise, did you know that Andy Warhol's roots go back to Slovakia?
However, what impressed me extraordinarily is the fact that the activities of BIBIANA, or the BIB and BAB shows - Biennial of Animation Bratislava (festival of animated works for children organized every two years), are supported from the budget of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. I think the idea that the nation invests generously in the artistic activities needed for the healthy development of children and young people is wonderful.
A traveling exhibition entitled "Bratislava Biennial of Illustrations in Japan" is currently taking place in Japan. The exhibition presents original works by authors of picture books for children from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Japan, which were exhibited at BIB in 2019. It is open to the public until November 7 at the Municipal Art Museum in Chigasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture. What do you think, isn't it a good idea where to go for Slovak culture? For a culture that values books.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Poster BIB2021 |
With Mrs. Viera Anoškinová, Head of the BIB Secretariat |
Section of Japanese artists at BIB 2021 |
With the director of BIBIANA, Ing. Peter Tvrdoň |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Tour of the International House of Arts for Children BIBIANA |
Talk with Mgr. Art. Tomas Danay, the Head of the Secretariat and the Director of the BAB |
Exhibition „Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava in Japan" at the Municipal Museum of Art in Chigasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture |
Poster for the traveling exhibition "Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava in Japan " |