BRIEF CV

HISTORY OF FOUNDATION AND ACTION 1974-2025

Foundation-Objectives: The Cyprus Children's and Young People's Book Association, which constitutes the National Section of Cyprus in the International Book Organization for Young People (IBBY), was founded on April 28, 1974 and will complete, in 2025, fifty years of action and contribution to children's and young people's literature in Cyprus. From the beginning of its establishment, the Association defined as its main goals and objectives the promotion, visibility, highlighting and development of Cypriot children's and young people's literature, through a series of events and activities listed below.

Participation in IBBY-International action: From the first days of its establishment in 1974, the CSPNB became a member of the International Book for Young People (IBBY) and has since then been the national section of Cyprus in IBBY. In fact, in 1984, the 19th World Congress of IBBY was organized with great success in Cyprus by the Association, on the theme "The production and dissemination of children's books in developing countries". Cyprus also undertook in 1982 the writing of the annual message of IBBY and the artistic design of the poster for April 2, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, which has been established as the World Children's Book Day. The message, written by Kika Pulcheriou and the poster, designed by Clara Georgiou, were translated and sent to all IBBY member countries. The Association also participates in the IBBY conferences that are organized every two years. The most recent conferences in which the Association participated were in 2012 in London, in 2014 in Mexico, in 2016 in New Zealand and in 2018 in Athens. Several Cypriot authors have been included, upon the recommendation of the CPCNB, in the IBBY honorary list, which is published every two years within the framework of the world conference, as well as for the competition for the Andersen Awards. The KSPNB also participates in the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, is represented in the occasional seminars organized in Greece by the Greek Children's Book Circle and participates in events at the Cyprus House in Athens and in various European programs. A member of the KSPNB, Charalambos Dimitriou, participates in the executive committee of IBBY international. The KSPNB has taken on the message for World Children's Book Day 2026.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: During its 45 years of existence and activity, the KSPNB has held a large number of events, which include the following areas:

• Honorary events for writers / "Michalakis Maratheftis" Lifetime Achievement Award

• Publications: Since 1989, the Cyprus Children's Literature Society has been publishing the annual review of Cypriot children's literature, Anemi, which this year has completed 32 issues in total, has published two volumes of Children's Literature (1979 and 1990) and has also produced 14 other important publications.

• Book presentations

• Organization of seminars/workshops.

• Reading Club for children - Furry Book club where Cypriot authors present books in experiential workshops in the presence of a trained service dog

• International Children's Book Day

• Competitions: Every year the KSPNB announces the following six literary competitions:

Ø Novel and emerging author, sponsored by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation (two competitions)

Ø Poetry in memory of Eugenia P. Petrondas (athlete: Ch. Petrondas)

Ø Student short story competition by Fotini Ioannidou-Polyviou (sponsor: Pavlos F. Ioannidis family)

Ø Kostas Montis Student Poetry Competition (organizer: Elena Papantoniou)

Ø Student poetry competition in memory of Christodoulos Loizides (organizer: Maroula Ch. Loizides).

Ø More information can be found on our website.