The week began with a robust pre-congress program on 5 August, featuring the concluding meeting of the 2024—2026 Executive Committee and the IBBY Forum, where members engaged in lively dialogue regarding the future direction of the organization. That evening, the tone was set for the days ahead with the Children in Crisis Panel, a moving discussion on the therapeutic power of books in zones of conflict and disaster, moderated by journalist Adrian Harewood and featuring insights from IBBY leaders who have dedicated their work to emergency relief.
The official opening ceremony on 6 August was a celebration of diversity and inclusion, anchored by the traditional Sunrise Ceremony led by Elder Barry Sarazin (Algonquin of Pikwakanagan) and storytelling by Elder Monica Ittusardjuat (Inuk). In her opening address, IBBY President Basarat Kazim challenged the assembly to reconsider the nature of communication in a fragmented world. She remarked, “We become busy explaining ourselves. We become certain that our own experiences are enough. We hear words, but we stop hearing the person behind them.” Emphasizing that listening is our first language, she urged the community to learn from the generosity of children’s literature, noting that “books never ask a child where they come from before inviting them inside.” Her speech extended beyond human connection to our relationship with the planet, reminding delegates that “nature does not shout; she whispers softly,” and that restoring the Earth requires the same patience and care as nurturing a young reader.
The core of the Congress unfolded through rigorous academic parallel sessions, keynote addresses by wonderful speakers such as Sydney Smith and David A. Robertson, and vibrant exhibitions ranging from the IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books in Indigenous and Endangered Languages to the Reading with Pride showcase. A pivotal moment occurred during the IBBY General Assembly, where members reviewed the organization’s financial health, celebrated the success of global programmes, and participated in the election of the new leadership for the 2026—2028 term. The spirit of collaboration was further highlighted during the various award ceremonies, which recognized outstanding contributions to writing, illustration, and reading promotion.
As the Congress drew to a close on 9 August, the closing ceremony reflected on the transformative power of the four days spent in dialogue. President Kazim, in her farewell address, honoured the hosts and the global community, stating, “Four days ago, we arrived from every corner of the world, bringing with us different languages, different traditions and different stories. Today, we leave carrying a little of one another.” She reaffirmed that the true work of IBBY continues long after the event concludes, living on “in libraries and classrooms, in homes and hospitals, in refugee camps, on book buses, beneath trees, and wherever an adult sits beside a child and opens a book.” The formal proceedings concluded with a post-congress programme filled with Literary Tours organized by IBBY Canada to Toronto and Montreal, and on 10 August the newly elected Executive Committee held its first meeting, ready to translate the insights gained in Ottawa into action for the coming biennium.
The Congress archives, which will include the Congress proceedings, recordings of major ceremonies, and other pertinent material, are currently under development and we look forward to sharing them with you very soon.
