Celebrating Chilean Creativity: The Fantastic Forest by Sebastián Ilabaca

The Fantastic Forest, published in the UK by independent children’s publisher Book Island and originally in Chile by Ediciones Liebre, is a three-metre-long concertina picture book that invites readers into a richly detailed, wordless visual journey.

The London launch event, organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Chile and Instituto Cervantes, celebrates Chilean creativity and the growing cultural exchange between Chile and the UK, highlighting institutional support for Chilean artists abroad.

The evening will include an interactive storytelling experience for children, insights into Sebastián Ilabaca’s creative process, and a hands-on family workshop. The event will conclude with book sales featuring a special launch edition.

More than a book launch, the event represents a celebration of contemporary Chilean illustration, international collaboration, and the power of visual storytelling, while strengthening the cultural visibility of Chilean talent in the UK.

Sebastián Ilabaca is a self-taught illustrator and paper engineer, known for creating Chile’s first pop-up book and for his experimental approach to children’s illustration. Book Island is a UK-based independent picture book publisher specialising in international titles, and Ediciones Liebre is an award-recognised Chilean children’s publisher focused on early childhood literature.

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Únete a nosotros en el Instituto Cervantes de Londres para el lanzamiento en el Reino Unido de The Fantastic Forest, un extraordinario libro álbum en formato acordeón de más de tres metros creado por el autor e ilustrador chileno Sebastián Ilabaca, publicado por Book Island y Ediciones Liebre.

Este evento especial, en colaboración con la Embajada de Chile, celebra la ilustración chilena contemporánea y el creciente intercambio cultural entre Chile y el Reino Unido. Sin palabras, The Fantastic Forest invita a lectores de todas las edades a sumergirse en un viaje visual lleno de gigantes ocultos, criaturas secretas y múltiples capas de narración.

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Host or Publisher Instituto Cervantes - London