Connecting Those Who Connect
Children and Books
Reading and growing up: encouraging reading among children and young adults
International Conference, 16 May 2025
The City Library of Zagreb
Central Department for Children and Youth
Slovenian Section of IBBY
• Established in 1992.
• Many of the founding members were involved in the former National Section of Yugoslavia
Before 1992 - IBBY Congress in Ljubljana
• In 1966 the Yugoslavian Section of IBBY hosted international IBBY Congress in Ljubljana.
• At this Congress:
• April 2nd was proclaimed the International Children's Book Day.
• Zorka Peršič, Slovenian reading promotor and director of Mladinska knjiga Publishing House was elected for IBBY President.
Slovenian Section of IBBY connects:
• Libraries
• Publishing Houses
• Expert Associations
• Reading Promotion Organisations
• Artists:
• Writers
• Illustrators
• Translators
• Researchers
• Reading Promotors, etc.
Celebration of the International Children‘s Book Day
Boris A. Novak and Matjaž Schmidt created the ICBD message in 1997.
Celebration of the International Children‘s Book Day
Peter Svetina and Damijan Stepančič created the ICBD message in 2020.
Celebration of the International Children‘s Book Day
Every Year, together with the Slovene Writers' Association, the Otrok in knjiga journal and the Slovenian Reading Badge Society, we prepare the ICBD celebration.
Celebration of the International Children‘s Book Day
This Year, the celebration was dedicated to Marjana Kobe (1938–2024).
We organised a storytelling event titled Samo to bi vam rad povedala.
Photo: Matej Pušnik
IBBY Slovenia Award for reading promoters
We annually present an award and up to three special distinctions for achievements in the field of reading promotion and quality children’s literature promotion.
Nominations for International Awards
• Slovenian Artists on the HCAA shortlist:
• 2000 Marija Lucija Stupica
• 2020, 2022 Peter Svetina
Nominations for International Awards
Slovenian members in IBBY bodies
• President of IBBY: Zorka Peršič: 1966-1970
• Members of IBBY EC:
Tina Bilban: 2022–2026 (2024-2026: Vice-President)
Vasja Cerar: 2000–2002
• Members of the Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury:
Pavle Učakar: 2024
Tina Bilban: 2020 & 2022
Andrej Ilc: 2016 & 2018
Darja Mazi Leskovar: 2010
Vasja Cerar: 2006
Matjaž Schmidt: 1998 & 2000
Slovenia Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2023
Slovenia Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children‘s Book Fair
Photo: Jernej Čampelj
IBBY Slovenia at the IBBY Congress in Trieste
IBBY Slovenia at the IBBY Congress in Trieste
IBBY Slovenia at the IBBY Congress in Trieste
IBBY Slovenia at the IBBY Congress in Trieste
And After?
• We are more connected within the field in Slovenia.
And After?
• We are more connected within the field in Slovenia…
• … and internationally!
And After?
