An exhibition showcasing the history and achievements of the Bratislava International Picture Book Exhibition (BIB), a picture book illustration competition, will be held at the Urawabikan Museum in Saitama from July 9th to August 31st. The Bratislava International Picture Book Exhibition (BIB, or Bienial of Illustrations Bratislava) is the world's largest international picture book illustration competition, established in 1965 by UNESCO and the International Board on Books for Young People when the country was still Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The first BIB was held in 1967, and the 25th edition was held in the fall of 2015, marking the 50th anniversary of its founding.

The competition is unique in that it judges original illustrations from picture books that have already been published, and is known for attracting highly artistic works as well as experimental and unique works. Furthermore, BIB was founded during a time when Japan's picture book culture was beginning to flourish after the war, and Japanese picture books have consistently won awards and been highly praised at past BIB competitions.

This exhibition, which displays approximately 300 original illustrations from 81 picture books, is divided into two parts. Part 1 traces the history and achievements of the international competition "BIB," which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It also looks back on "50 years of Japanese picture book history" from works that have participated in BIB over the years, and introduces the "Japanese Selected Works" from the past half century. The venue will feature works such as Naga Shinta's "Mr. Cabbage," Akaba Suekichi's "Suho's White Horse," Tajima Seizo's "Chikarataro," Maruki Iri and Maruki Shun's "Japanese Legends," Inoue Yosuke's "Where the Turn Comes the Turn," Sakai Komako's "Friday's Sugar," and Arai Ryoji's "Space Egg."

In addition, the second part will introduce the latest trends in picture book illustration, and will feature award-winning works, including the Grand Prix winner at the 25th BIB held last fall, as well as works submitted from Japan, focusing on fresh expressions and original attempts that give us hope for the current and future state of picture books. The exhibition will feature works such as "Me and Yellow" by Miro Komachi, which won the runner-up Golden Apple Award, as well as "Kanai-kun" by Matsumoto Taiyo, "The World You Create" and "Iron Man" by Laura Carlin, and "Frankenstein" by Elena Odriozola.

During the exhibition, there will be a creative corner where visitors can freely craft and draw, as well as picture book readings by library volunteers and art appreciation tours where children and parents can tour the exhibition rooms with curators and enjoy conversations in front of the original works. For details and schedules of events, please visit the Urawa Museum's official website.

The exhibition will begin at the Urawa Museum of Art and then travel to five other museums across Japan, including the Iwate Museum of Art from October 29th to December 11th, the Chiba City Museum of Art from January 4th to February 26th, 2017, the Ashikaga City Museum of Art from April 8th to May 28th, 2017, and the Hiratsuka Museum of Art from July 8th to August 27th, 2017.
【Event Information】
"BIB 50th Anniversary Bratislava International Picture Book Original Illustrations Exhibition - 50 Years of Picture Books, Past and Future"
Venue: Urawa Art Museum
Address: 3rd Floor, Urawa Century City, 2-5-1 Nakamachi, Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture
Dates: July 9th - August 31st
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
*Until 20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays
*Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Admission: 610 yen for adults, 410 yen for university and high school students, free for elementary and junior high school students
Closed: Mondays (open on July 18th), July 19th