The “shape” of the third edition of the contest represents the outline of the city of Bologna: the ancient border of the city, its walls, with a particular kind of polygonal outline, also known as cresta or circla.

The outline recalls the polygonal shape of a beehive cell. Bologna has a long tradition of research on the study of bees: from Guido Grandi, a world-renowned scholar (to him we owe the entomological collection of more than 51,000 specimens named after him and preserved at the University of Bologna), to the current role of BiGeA University Department, in expanding the research field on the interaction between plants and pollinators, and DISTAL University Department, on eco-toxicology and bees as bioindicators.
Starting from the fundamental role of bees in the functioning and balance of the ecosystem, we concived the theme of the third edition. The perimeter of the walls of Bologna as the basis for discussing and illustrating an extremely topical, multifaceted and challenging issue: climate change and – as a response to it – ecosustainability.
1. Call for entries! open
April 15th 2025
The illustration contest is international and open to both individual and group participants.
Original and unpublished works can be submitted starting from April 15, 2025.
The deadline, unless extended, is 11:59 p.m. (CEST) on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Submissions must be made through the dedicated form in the PARTICIPATE section of this website.
2. Outcomes
End of June 2023
The thirty finalist works will be selected by a jury of illustration experts and representatives of the sponsoring institutions. Finalists will be notified directly and announced through the official contest channels.
3. 3. Awards and exhibitions
2025 … 2026
The 30 finalist works will be exhibited in Bologna by 2026. The three prize winners and any honorable mentions will be announced during the opening of the group exhibition.