From April 13th to 16th, Bologna will transform into the world capital of children's publishing, hosting the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026. And among the voices animating the event, that of Sardinia also resonates strongly, with a vibrant and pulsating presence that brings to the heart of the city the energy and creativity of an island that increasingly has something to say in the publishing world. Her name is Giulia Sollai , an artist and illustrator born in Pula, who for over ten years has made Bologna her second home, or rather, her "Artist's Cottage."
Within the walls of this eclectic space, the event "Copyright in Images: Guidelines for Illustrators, Graphic Designers, and Cartoonists" will be held on April 16th at 6:30 PM, with speaker Maria Paola Pinna , a lawyer from Sarullo specializing in intellectual property. The event is part of the official "BOOM! Crescere nei libri 2026" circuit, the children's book and illustration festival promoted by the Municipality of Bologna and BolognaFiere, which enlivens the city before, during, and after the international fair. It is sponsored by IBBY Italia and curated by the Libraries and Cultural Welfare Sector of the Municipality of Bologna together with the Hamelin cultural association, as part of the Bologna Reading Pact.
"I grew up barefoot in the majestic Sardinian countryside," Sollai explains. "I breathed in the mistral wind and nurtured myself in workshops where I got my hands dirty with clay dyes, oil paints, and cork dust. I feel like I'm many things; being an artist is a way of being in the world." A way of being in the world that, over time, has taken her far from her island, though never truly leaving it. "Working with art is a way of nurturing my inner child, cultivating purity and play. I'm deeply connected to everything that takes me back to childhood," she adds. And perhaps it's precisely this profound connection with the world of children that naturally drew her towards editorial illustration and a festival like BOOM!, which dedicates energy and passion to children's books year-round. The "Artist's House" is more than just a studio. Since 2014, its living room has hosted exhibitions, cultural events, and moments of creative sharing. Giulia describes it as a "container-place," constantly evolving, designed to unite diverse passions. An accomplished freelancer, she collaborates with international brands and specializes in analog techniques. An almost poetic counterpoint in an increasingly digital era. The space also functions as an artistic B&B, offering hospitality in an environment where art is literally at home.
The collateral event at the Bologna Children's Book Fair fits perfectly into this spirit. Attorney Pinna will address concrete and pressing issues for those working with images: authors' rights, relationships with publishers, brand protection, social media sharing, and, an increasingly pressing topic, the impact of artificial intelligence on the illustration and graphic design industry. "We want to give illustrators, graphic designers, and cartoonists the legal tools to navigate their work more confidently," explains Pinna. "The starting point is simple but crucial. What rights do image authors really possess? It's a question many ask, but few can answer with certainty."
In short, while the international fair attracts publishers and agents from around the world, there's a corner of Bologna where a girl from Pula, her hands still dreamily stained with paint and clay, keeps alive a small, precious Sardinian flame. A place where art isn't decoration, but a way of life.
