Curator—Yuliia Konopliana
We are living in the Big Bang era. Old established norms and systems have already become obsolete, while new ones are being created before our very eyes and often by our own hands. The world, the country and society are actively changing, and it is not clear what to hold on to in this whirlwind of uncertainty and impermanence. In times of change, it is easy to get lost and lose everything. However, if you have the courage to act, you can find yourself in the vanguard of those who today establish the rules of coexistence in tomorrow’s world.
Within this year’s professional program, we invite you to talk about the beacons and signposts that help survive in the most turbulent times—about values. Most events will focus on the professional and creative ethics of specialists in the book industry. The rules that shape relations between its subjects, the demands that the modern world puts forward to any creative choices. We will talk about the boundaries and responsibilities of those who create and publish books, sensitivity in cooperation in wartime. About the ethical representation of diverse people and book design for everyone. About the mentorship and support for young writers. About different professional experiences and choices.
Of course, there will be workshops and portfolio reviews for illustrators and designers, calligraphy master classes and even the announcement of the winners of the international Pictoric Illustration Contest (PIC). And within the annual Book Arsenal Fellowship Program, foreign publishers and literary agents from Peru, Georgia, Egypt, Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and Lithuania, interested in Ukrainian book publishing, will visit Book Arsenal.
We will try to create a platform for dialog and mutual understanding in order to discuss together how we can build a favorable professional environment and respond to new challenges. Join us!