My Bologna Top Tips
… have you ever considered getting a tall friend? … and other useful ideas!
Top tip number 1! Having a tall friend is a definite win if you want those top spots on the illustrator’s wall. The lower part of the wall fills up fast and lots of illustrations sadly fall onto the floor so if you don’t have a tall friend … then maybe consider a ladder… or make a new friend when you get there!
…thankfully I am tall… so if you see me there next year then I am happy to be your tall friend!
The fair is really busy so queues are a reality so embrace them and chat to new people. You’re all at the fair for the same reason - for the love of beautiful books so you’re in great company! I stood in a taxi queue with my lovely mum for almost 2 hours and we made friends with the people around us. When we finally got to the front of the queue the people behind us literally cheered for us for being the next in line! Friends are everywhere you just haven’t met them yet! With this in mind - make sure you take plenty of stops to rest, eat gelato and have some fun. I can highly recommend the Aperol Spritz stand at the fair if you’re in need of a break.
My biggest top tip? Wear comfy shoes as you will be walking A LOT! Also, bring some postcards along to the fair and swap them with your new found friends - I got quite a collection! It’s like swapping bracelets at a Taylor Swift concert … only postcards of beautiful artworks! Genius!
Oh… and don’t forget to visit the bookshops both in Bologna and at the fair! You’ll find some beauties from all over the world and you’re unlikely to find these when you get back home so seize the moment and snap them up whilst you can.
This is a photo of possibly the most beautiful book shop I’ve ever visited and it was in the centre of Bologna near Piazza Maggiore. Definitely worth a visit!
Above all have fun! (Have I mentioned this already?) The fair is big and can be overwhelming so I wouldn’t get stressed about not seeing and doing everything - it must be near impossible! So embrace a slower pace, soak it all up, take lots of breaks and be inspired.
Until next year. Ciao Bella. Lizzy x
So exciting Lizzy! Glad you enjoyed!
What a great and helpful Review of your fair! So happy you bumped into new friends and had a good time on top of surviving the actual fair experience! See you next year hopefully!