Javier Zabala will be in Naples for a double date for the ninth edition of "The World Saved by Kids."

The city of Naples welcomes Javier Zabala, renowned Spanish illustrator, for two events in the "Close Encounters" series, part of the ninth edition of the project curated by the Kolibrì Association. The initiative once again features encounters between libraries, bookstores, and educational spaces in the city.

The program of October 13nd

On Tuesday, October 13th, Zabala will be featured in two separate events: in the morning, from 10:00 to 12:00, at the University Library at Via Giovanni Paladino 39; and in the afternoon at 17:00 pm in the Kids Space of the Feltrinelli bookstore in Piazza dei Martiri. Zabala, born in León in 1962 and residing in Madrid, is one of the world's leading illustrators. He studied Illustration and Graphic Design at the Oviedo School of Art and later in Madrid, where he moved in 1984. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with world-renowned magazines, publishing houses, and projects, receiving awards such as the Spanish National Illustration Prize in 2005 and two Honorable Mentions at the Bologna International Art Fair Prize in 2005 and 2008. He has illustrated over 90 books and worked on texts by authors such as Cervantes, Shakespeare, Melville, Rodari, and Garcia Lorca.

PEZ and the collaboration with Emilio Urberuaga

Along with co-author Emilio Urberuaga, Zabala is the author of PEZ, an illustrated book published by Il Gatto Verde Edizioni and translated by Luna Di Meglio. PEZ is among the five winners of the ninth edition of the Juvenilia Prize, "The World Saved by Kids," created as part of the Creative Reading Literacy project promoted by the Kolibrì Association, together with Andersen and Agita Teatro.

The theme of the 2026 project and the subsequent stages

This year's educational and performance program is titled "Mare Magnum, Monstrum, Nostrum." The book, narrated by Zabala and Urberuaga, tells the story of a coelacanth, an archaic, unconventional, and inquisitive fish that explores the sea, land, and sky, driven by a vital impulse toward freedom and creativity, rejecting the limits imposed by political correctness. The Neapolitan event is part of a program that includes students from art schools (including the Polo delle Arti Palizzi Caselli), the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples, and the Italian School of Comix, led by Mario Punzo. Zabala also remains active as a teacher and speaker at universities, libraries, and art schools in several countries, with a particular presence in Spain and Italy.

Upcoming events and festival finales

Following the meetings scheduled for October 13th, the project will continue with another event on October 22nd: at 10:00 a.m. at the University Library and at 17:00 p.m. at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sala Marino, for the album "Ondario" by Sarah Zambello and Susy Zanella, published by Nomos. The grand finale will take place from November 7th to 9th at the Sala Assoli theater, with the awards ceremony and the educational return of the books to the educational communities.

No reservations are required to participate: admission is free while seats last. For information, please contact kolibrinapoli@gmail.com or call +39 333 5223339. The event is organized by Kolibrì, Andersen, and Agita Teatro, with the support of the Campania Region, the 2026 Cultural Promotion Plan, Bper Banca, the Banco di Napoli Foundation, and E-Geos.

Contact information: Kolibrì Napoli — Facebook: @kolibrinapoli; Instagram: @kolibrinapoli; YouTube: @kolibrinapoli3639. Email: kolibrinapoli@gmail.com. Press office: Michelangelo Comunicazione.

Winners of previous editions include Elisabetta Mitrovic with In Riva al mare (Topipittori), Paolo Giulierini with Mare monstrum (Giunti) and Vivian Lamarque with Storia con mare, cielo e paura (Salani).