The biennial is regarded as one of the world’s most influential showcases of children’s book illustration. Since its launch in 1967, it has been held every two years in the Slovak capital with backing from UNESCO, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), and Slovakia’s culture ministry, IBNA reported.

Tarhandeh, a board member of the Children’s Book Council of Iran, has built her reputation through more than two decades of work in criticism, promotion and research on children’s literature. She previously served as a judge for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, often called the “Nobel Prize for children’s literature.”

Her nomination to the Bratislava jury was put forward jointly by the Children’s Book Council of Iran, the Iranian Illustrators Society and the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, which serve as IBBY’s national body in Iran. The three institutions oversaw the selection and endorsement process.

Alongside Tarhandeh’s appointment, two young Iranians will take part in BIB’s side programs. Illustrator Melika Jamali has been selected for the Albín Brunovský workshop, while researcher Parisa Beabadi will join a symposium on how the biennial has shaped trends in illustration. Both were chosen through an open call process.

The 2025 edition, which runs through January 2026, will be staged at Bratislava Castle, featuring exhibitions, workshops and conferences for artists and scholars from around the globe.