PALAZZO D`ACCURSIO (Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna)
EXHIBITION “Creative Citizens/Cittadini Creativi“
Opening hours: 10:00-18:30

The Cittadini Creativi exhibition is part of the program for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, where Estonia is this year’s Guest of Honour. The exhibition showcases the recent works of Estonian illustrators and artists.

Cittadini Creativi is a gathering of creative characters—drawn from the diverse works of Estonia’s imaginative illustrators—who, for a brief moment, have stepped away from their roots in books. Now squatting in the heart of Bologna without the support of text, they invite visitors to meet them with a clean slate and no backstory. As you’ll see, some are waiting for inspiration or freshly baked treats, others bask under an imaginary sun, wash days-old coffee cups in the sink, or chase their youth—or dust bunnies. One citizen is a rabbit, another a turtle, and yet another a famous composer.

Participating illustrators: Katrin Ehrlich, Anu Kalm, Heiki Ernits, Kristi Kangilaski, Tiiu Kitsik, Karel Korp, Liisa Kruusmägi, Regina Lukk-Toompere, Lumimari, Viive Noor, Sirly Oder, Eiko Ojala, Anne Pikkov, Marja-Liisa Plats, Priit Pärn, Piret Raud, Jaan Rõõmus, Ulla Saar, Pamela Samel, Elina Sildre, Joonas Sildre, Kertu Sillaste, Marju Tammik, Reda Tomingas, Kristina Tort, Urmas Viik and Catherine Zarip.
The animators are: Liisi Grünberg, Jaakop Ivask, Lyza Järvis, Uku Jürgenson, Rebeka Kruus, Elise Kruusel, Ida Lepparu, Kaimar Lomp, Cristo Madissoo, Eiko Ojala, Rael Pikkel, Piret Potter, Maria Rakitina, Lilli-Krõõt Repnau, Mia Rulli, Stella Salumaa, Kadi Sink, Kelly Tõnurist, and Elli Zahradnikova.

Curator: Bianka Soe
Designers: Karin Tõugu and Triin Vaino (b210)
Graphic designer: Stuudio Stuudio
Technical Production: Enno Innos, Hannes Kadak, Taivo Tõkke, Oskar Pruus
Producers: Estonian Children’s Literature Centre, Estonian Publishers’ Association

Supporters: Ministry of Culture of Estonia, Estonian Embassy in Rome, Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Municipality of Bologna, Hamelin
Thank you: Lilli-Krõõt Repnau and Telliskivi Creative City

The Cittadini Creativi, Estonian illustration exhibition is part of the Estonia – Guest of Honour at Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025 programme.

Opening hours (Palazzo d`Accursio, Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna):
Monday closed; Tuesday-Thursday 9:00-18:30; Friday 15:00-18:30; Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:30

Tours with artists and curator Bianka Soe
Sunday, March 30 at 15:00-16:00
Wednesday, April 2 at 15:00-16:00

Workshops
Sunday, March 30 at 13:00-14.30 „Bric-a-Brac“ with illustrator Kertu Sillaste
Tuesday, April 1 at 14:00-15.30 „No Scissors Allowed!“ with illustrator Kadri-Maria Külaots

Free entrance

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”

PALAZZO D`ACCURSIO (Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna)
EXHIBITION “Creative Citizens/Cittadini Creativi“

Time: 13:00-14:30
WORKSHOP “BRIC-A-BRAC” WITH ILLUSTRATOR KERTU SILLASTE
Kertu Sillaste is an illustrator and picture book author who loves to experiment with different illustration techniques. In this workshop, we will create illustrations without drawing or painting—instead, we will use various small objects and materials. Together with all participants, we will build a large, ever-changing and evolving picture. Everyone, both young and old, is welcome to join and take part!

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”. Free entrance!

Time: 15:00-16:00
TOUR WITH ARTISTS AND CURATOR BIANKA SOE
In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”. Free entrance!

PALAZZO D`ACCURSIO (Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna)
EXHIBITION “Creative Citizens/Cittadini Creativi“

Time: 14:00-15:30
WORKSHOP “NO SCISSORS ALLOWED!” WITH ILLUSTRATOR KADRI-MARIA KÜLAOTS
The charm lies in simplicity! In the paper collage workshop we’ll be creating pictures using only coloured papers and our hands. The ripped paper technique is always surprising – whether you have a vision of the final result, or simply see where the shapes take you. And what could be more calming than ripping papers into pieces?

The workshop will be held by a designer and illustrator – Kadri-Maria Külaots – who made all the illustrations of her first children’s book Maie ja Mummi in the same technique.

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”. Free entrance!

BIBLIOTECA SPINA (Via Casini 5, Bologna)

Time: 9:00-10.00
AUTHOR TALK WITH CHILDREN: TIIU KITSIK – PAOLO, EMILIO E I SASSI-INSETTO
Estonian author and illustrator Tiiu Kitsik will meet the children of Bologna to talk about her book Paolo, Emilio e i Sassi-insetto, which was published in Italian in 2024 by Il Gatto Verde.

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”

BIBLIOTECA TASSINARI CLÒ (Via di Casaglia 7, Bologna)

Time: 10:00-11:00
AUTHOR TALK WITH CHILDREN: ANTI SAAR – QUANTI PROBLEMI, ARVO!
Estonian writer and translator Anti Saar will meet the children of Bologna to talk about his book Quanti problemi, Arvo!, which was published in Italian in 2024 by Sinnos.

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”.

PALAZZO D`ACCURSIO (Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna)
EXHIBITION “Creative Citizens/Cittadini Creativi“

Time: 15:00-16:00
TOUR WITH ARTISTS AND CURATOR BIANKA SOE
In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”. Free entrance!

BIBLIOTECA CASA DI KHAOULA (Via di Corticella 104, Bologna)

Time: 10:00-11:00
AUTHOR TALK WITH CHILDREN: TRIINU LAAN AND MARJA-LIISA PLATS – MARTIN LO SCHELETRO

Estonian author Triinu Laan and illustrator Marja-Liisa Plats will talk to the children of Bologna about their book John the Skeleton, which was published in Italian in 2024 by Sinnos.

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”

CINEMA MODERNISSIMO (Piazza Re Enzo 1, Bologna)

Time: 16:00
ESTONIAN ANIMATED CINEMA

Cinema Modernissimo will screen the animated film Captain Morten & the Spider Queen (Kapten Morten lollide laeval, Estonia/2018). This stop-motion puppet animation film was entirely produced by Nuku Film, Estonia’s renowned animation studio. The film is based on a highly successful children’s book, itself inspired by a theatrical production that blends musical opera and circus elements. The screening, organised by Schermi e Lavagne – the educational department of the Cineteca di Bologna – will be in the original language with an oversound translation.

In cooperation with Hamelin, part of the festival “Boom! Crescere nei libri”.