As part of the 26th Week of the Italian Language in the World and to mark the bicentenary of Carlo Collodi’s birth, the Italian Cultural Institute in Bangkok is organizing the exhibition “Italian Excellence: Pinocchio’s New Clothes,” hosted at Chulalongkorn University. Open to the public from October 20 to 22, 2026, the exhibition pays tribute to The Adventures of Pinocchio—a work that has transcended eras, borders, and cultures to become one of the world’s most translated, illustrated, and reinterpreted books, as well as a part of universal cultural heritage.
Conceived and organized internationally by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) / BolognaFiere—the leading professional event dedicated to publishing and content for children and young adults—and curated by the Accademia Drosselmeier, the exhibition is part of the “Italian Excellence” project, created to promote the work of Italian illustrators abroad. The event is held under the patronage of the National Committee for the Carlo Collodi Bicentenary Celebrations and the Carlo Collodi National Foundation
In this context, Italian excellence is represented not merely by a single author, but by a story that has inspired countless artists, illustrators, comic book creators, filmmakers, and animation masters over time, giving rise to an extraordinary variety of visions and artistic styles.
When it first appeared in serial form, Pinocchio had no images; the written word dominated the page. Illustrations arrived with the book edition, and since then, the puppet has constantly changed his look, evolving alongside innovations in printing techniques—from line drawings and black-and-white imagery to full color. Following the historic interpretations of various masters, this exhibition brings together a selection of published works by some of the most distinguished contemporary illustrators.
The artists featured in the exhibition include Lorenzo Mattotti, Peter Bailey, Justine Brax, Iacopo Bruno, Attilio Cassinelli, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Swarna Chitrakar, Carll Cneut, Vittoria Facchini, Sara Fanelli, Alberto Gamón, Philip Giordano, Robert Ingpen, Marcello Jori, Kęstutis Kasparavičius, Emanuele Luzzati, Chris McEwan, Mike Mignola, Minalima, Gabriel Pacheco, Ferenc Pintér, Alessandro Sanna, Guido Scarabottolo, Chrudoš Valoušek, Tony Wolf, Wolfango, and Ed Young.
These artists have engaged with the figure of Pinocchio through diverse styles, artistic languages, and sensibilities—ranging from the ironic to the poetic, and from minimalist strokes to richly detailed compositions. Their interpretations constantly renew the story’s iconic power, offering a multifaceted, contemporary perspective on the character as an expression of diverse cultural heritages.
Open to the public: October 20–22, 2026
09:00–16:00 | Foyer 303–304, MCS Building, Chulalongkorn University
Free admission