Live from the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italian President Sergio Mattarella opened the 61st edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, organised by BolognaFiere. Greeted with a performance of the Italian national anthem by a group of youngsters and welcomed by Elena Pasoli, Exhibition Manager of BCBF, President Mattarella highlighted the value of the publishing world and, addressing children and young people directly, of how a book can be a “precious companion on the long journey of life.”