The essential purpose and aims

“The Fernand Baudin Prize” has been initiated by several graphic artists-teachers who work in the book world. The prize is supported by Brussels-Export, Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) and Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX)

The principle aims of this initiative are:

- to encourage the creation of the contemporary book in the Brussels-Capital region by honouring the most beautiful books.

- to bring this creativity to the notice of a wide public and give it an international dimension through an exhibition and a catalogue which will be distributed abroad.

This prize will offer an opportunity to:

- revive the concept of the “art of the book”

- promote talent, ideas, techniques and the know-how of the “book” professionals and artisans

- look at the economic parameters which surround the production of books and which have an influence on their quality

- create a competitive spirit amongst the “book” professionals and encourage collaboration between them leading to a greater quality of books.

- provoke criticism and rally the interest of the public to the best productions

- make books produced in the Brussels region more visible abroad and instigate international exchanges.

Belgium and particularly the Brussels-Capital region have undeniable roots in the tradition of the book. This know-how, which has been under-valued compared to that of its Dutch, Swiss or German neighbours (who, for a long time, have honoured their books), will now come to the fore on the international scene through the existence of a prize which will support its innovations and its creators.

The Prize

The prize will consist of a special recognition that will be given to those books which demonstrate an outstanding quality both in their conception (editorial and graphic), and in their production (printing and binding). A qualified jury will judge and award the prizes according to predefined criteria regarding the aesthetics, innovation and the techniques of book making.

Fernand Baudin

Fernand Baudin, an eminent Belgian typographer, was a well-known actor in the book-making profession, as well as a professor and author of several works of which the best known is “The Guttenberg Galaxy” which brought him recognition both in Belgium and internationally. In honour of this symbolic figure, whose work and vision had a defining role in the book world, we have associated his name to the prize for the most beautiful books of Brussels.