IIDCYA Displaying Selected Illustrations

Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA) has selected some of its internationally acclaimed books and put their illustrated pages on display at an exhibit underway at Children and Young Adults Museum in Tehran.

The illustrations are of the books which have won prizes at important competitions and exhibitions, including the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) in Slovakia, Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy and Hans Christian Andersen Festival in Odense, Denmark, Mehr News Agency reported.

There also are works of some winners at other major events including the biennial festival of White Ravens held by the International Youth Library in Munich, and the Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations in Japan.

In sum 46 books on show. One of them is ‘Arash the Archer,’ an epic poem by  novelist, poet and literary critic Siavash Kasrai (1927-1996), illustrated by graphic designer, illustrator and animator Farshid Mesqali. It is the winner of several international prizes such as the medal of Hans Christian Andersen, Diploma of Honor from Bologna Children’s Book Fair and the Golden Apple from BIB.

‘Long-Necked Deer,’ a story by writer of children’s book Jamshid Sepahi, illustrated by Youta Azargin, is another work IIDCYA is proud of. The book has received the Silver Prize from Leipzig’s annual Comics and Graphics Festival in Germany.

Winner of Grand Prize from the 1978 Noma Concours is among the works. It is ‘If Animals Had Colored Faces,’ created by painter and illustrator Nikzad Nojoumi.

There is also an old book written by Jabbar Baghcheban (1886-1966) who invented Persian sign language and established the first kindergarten for the deaf. The sad story titled ‘Snowman Daddy’ is illustrated by French painter and illustrator Alain Bailhache, 79.

The English translation of the book by Mitra Khatoonabadi was presented at the 54th Bologna Children’s Book Fair, April 3-6. One of the popular books for children in Iran, it has received an honorary mention by UNESCO.

The Children and Young Adults Museum is part of the Center for Cultural and Artistic Creations affiliated to IIDCYA. It is located on Hejab Street, east of Laleh Park. Running though the end of winter, the exhibit is open all days except holidays from 9 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm.