Poland is set to deliver a wide-ranging presence in Bologna this April, with a strong delegation of authors, illustrators, publishers and cultural leaders who will engage with a variety of activities across the general and children’s publishing sectors. Poland’s programme reflects the maturity, breadth, innovation and international ambition of its contemporary publishing sector and this prelude programme will lay the groundwork for its comprehensive Guest of Honour participation in 2027.
Across the four days of Bologna Book Fair, Polish speakers will contribute to discussions spanning artificial intelligence, authorship and rights, illustration, reading engagement and the rapidly evolving comics scene. The programme highlights both creative excellence and critical industry dialogue, reinforcing Poland’s growing influence in global publishing.
A central figure in this year’s programme is Rafal Kosik, the 2026 BolognaBookPlus Author Ambassador. One of the most influential Polish science fiction writers of the 21st century, Kosik has achieved significant international success, with nearly two million copies sold across 14 languages. Writing for both adult and children’s audiences, he represents the versatility and global reach of Polish storytelling. Kosik will participate in two key sessions on Tuesday 14 April: joining the AI Summit panel Control, Compensation and Creative Rights in the Age of AI, and appearing in conversation with Natasha Polisczczuk later that day.
Poland’s engagement with the AI discourse begins on Monday 13 April, with Marcin Hamkało, deputy director of the Polish Book Institute, contributing to AI, Authorship and Ownership: Redefining Publishing Contracts, a session examining the legal and ethical frameworks shaping the future of publishing.
Institutional leadership will also be in focus during the Poland Handover Ceremony on Wednesday 15 April, featuring Grzegorz Jankowicz, director of the Polish Book Institute; Olga Brzezińska, deputy director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute; and exhibition curator Magdalena Kłos-Podsiadło. This moment will formally mark Poland’s transition toward its 2027 Guest of Honour year.
Grzegorz Jankowicz will also contribute to the discussion Why Boys Lag Behind in Reading (and What to Do About It) on Tuesday 14 April, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in global literacy.
The creative programme showcases the richness of Polish illustration and design. On Monday 13 April, Big Feelings, Brave Books sees Anita Wincencjusz-Patyna explore emotionally resonant children’s literature, while Tradition Reimagined: Visual Voices from Poland brings together leading illustrators Agata Dudek, Zosia Dzierżawska, Kasia Minasowicz and Kasia Walentynowicz to examine evolving visual narratives.
Publishing innovation and international reach are further explored in Books with Wanderlust – Where Is Your Book Going? on Wednesday 15 April, with Jadwiga Jędryas, co-founder and publisher of Dwie Siostry, offering insights into global rights and mobility. Also, Ewa Bolińska-Gostkowska, senior foreign rights manager, Znak, represents Poland on the session Rhyme, Resonance, Reach: Navigating the Global Poetry Market from East to West.
Poland’s vibrant comics scene takes centre stage in Spotlight on Poland: The Emerging Scene of Polish Comics on Wednesday 15 April, featuring leading creators Przemek Truściński, Jacek Świdziński, Tomasz Kontny and Krzysztof Gawronkiewicz, alongside Szymon Holcman of Kultura Gniewu. The session highlights the growing international recognition of Polish graphic storytelling.
Interactive engagement is also a key element of the programme. On Wednesday 15 April, illustrators Ola Artymowska and Joanna Bartosik will lead Sketching the Fair: A Collaborative Visual Diary, inviting participants to co-create a visual record of the fair experience.
Grzegorz Jankowicz, director, The Polish Book Institute says, “We are pleased and honoured to be in Bologna to focus on – and to discuss – the key challenges facing the publishing market. As in previous years, the book itself and its creators remain at the heart of our conversations. Alongside this, we warmly invite all attendees to step into the world of Polimagination—the leading motif of Poland’s upcoming participation as Guest of Honour at the Bologna Book Fair in 2027.”
Poland’s presence at Bologna 2026 reflects a confident, forward-looking publishing ecosystem—one that is actively engaging with technological change, nurturing artistic talent, and expanding its global footprint. As the country prepares to take centre stage as Guest of Honour in 2027, this year’s programme offers a compelling preview of the creativity, diversity and depth of its book industry that heralds an exciting Guest of Honour showcase in 2027.
