According to Kanoon General Directorate for Public Relations and International Affairs, this festival is one of the most prestigious in illustrating children books in the world, held every two years with the support of UNESCO and The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY ) in Slovakia.
Tarhandeh, a member of the board of managers at Children’s Book Council, was previously selected as a judge at Hans Christian Anderson Award known as the Noble of Children Literature, is internationally known.
With more than two decades of activity in the area of criticism, promoting and analyzing children literature, she is one of the effective cultural figures in this domain.
Since 1967 and with the goal of introducing the best artistic achievements in illustrating children books, Bratislava Illustration Festival started its work. At present, with the management of the cultural institution of IBBY and with the support of UNESCO and BIBIANA, and Slovakia Ministry of Culture, this festival is held.
This international event hosts a series of exhibitions, workshops, symposiums, and specialized programs for illustrators and researchers of children's literature from around the world.
Introducing an Iranian judge as Iran’s official representative for Iranian illustrators is done by cooperation of BIB, IBBY as the official representative of Iranian Illustrators’ Society and Kanoon.
These three institutions, in a joint procedure and as the professional body of making decision, are responsible for selecting, introducing and supporting Iran’s representative in this festival.
In addition to Sahar Tarhandeh being a member of the international jury, a young illustrator and a researcher from Iran will participate in the side programs of BIB.
Melika Jamali for participating in illustration workshop by Albin Boronofski, and Parisa Behabadi for participating in the symposium with theme of “The effect of BIB professional illustration exhibition on the illustration trends” are selected.
Based on this news, these two are selected out of the ones who had replied to the call and had sent their profile to participate at the workshop and symposium.
Being a member of the jury, Sahar Tarhandeh’s presence is a follow-up of the contribution of precious Iranian figures in this international event.
Figures such as Farshid Mesghali in 1975, Sirus Tahbaz in 1977, Noureddin Zarrinkelk in 1999, Behzad Gharibpour in 2003, Abolfazl Hemmati Ahouiee in 2005, Mahnoush Moshiri in 2007, and Ali Bouzari in 2017 and 2019 have been participating in BIB as judge or speaker.
Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon) as the official representative of Iran and with the cooperation of Children’s Book Council and Iranian Illustrators Society, is responsible for selecting and sending works, also sending Iran’s representatives.
The 30th International Illustration Biennial Bratislava is going to be held from Oct 2025 to January 2026 in Bratislava Fort!