What unites us - Zemplín Library, Michalovce

What do Sweden and Japan, Slovakia and Brazil, or Bulgaria and Israel have in common? The Bratislava Illustration Biennial 2023 received thousands of illustrations from 36 countries around the world, and even though many miles separate us, we are exceptionally connected in the world of stories. In what we feel, what we dream of, or what pains us. It is important to remember that, despite our differences and uniqueness, we are also close in many ways. Here at BIB 2023 alone, famous goddesses from Ireland and India met, fairy-tale creatures from Argentina and Sweden gathered for a secret midnight celebration in the forest, and girls from Croatia and Belgium sent paper messages across the sea. With authors from Slovakia and Slovenia, you’ll visit slender cathedrals, gaze upon a symphony of mountains reflected in a river—created in the Netherlands and Japan—and discover who is hiding in your own shadows, just as heroes from Austria and Spain have. Take a look at selected pairs from among the world’s top illustrators who competed for the prestigious Grand Prix BIB award in 2023. Be inspired by the beauty of illustrated books for children and young adults, and keep your eyes peeled. You might just discover that someone on the other side of the world is telling your very own story.