On the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Carlo Lorenzini, better known as Collodi, creator of a puppet who became a universal literary figure, the latest exhibition in the Italian Excellence series, organized by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair – the leading international trade fair dedicated to children’s and young adult publishing and content – pays tribute to The Adventures of Pinocchio, one of the most translated, illustrated and reinterpreted books in the world.
In this context, Italian excellence is embodied not only by an author, but also by a work that has crossed eras, borders and cultures to become part of our universal cultural heritage. Over the years, Pinocchio has been reimagined by countless artists, illustrators, comic-book creators, filmmakers and animation masters, giving rise to an extraordinary variety of visions and artistic languages.
The exhibition brings together a selection of published works by some of today’s most prominent illustrators, each invited to explore the figure of Pinocchio through different styles, languages and sensibilities. Their interpretations range from ironic to poetic, from minimalist lines to richly detailed compositions, continually renewing the story’s iconic power and offering a multifaceted, contemporary perspective on this character, who reflects a diversity of cultural traditions.
November 25th–29th, 2026
Palais des congrès de Montréal
1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montreal
The Montreal Book Fair presents a series of exhibitions in which art and literature meet in a variety of forms. These exhibitions invite visitors to explore cultural diversity through works that bring together text and image.
