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Dear artist,
The International Exhibition of Ex Libris Skopje is honored to invite you to participate in the 7th International Exhibition of Ex Libris Skopje 2025, which will take place from 25th December 2025 till 20th January 2026 at the “Imperial I” Gallery at the Cultural Information Center – Skopje. This call for submission is open to all International artists 18 years of age and older.

Imprints of Equality – Marks from the Inner Self

The ex-libris does not live on the title page or in the spotlight, but sits carefully on the inside cover: not quite invisible, but not the showpiece either. It is the imprint behind the surface, marking the threshold between the book’s outward face and its inner world. As such, we could argue that the ex-libris is what gives the book its identity, authorship, and belonging. This curatorial lens opens powerful metaphors for our time. Much like the ex-libris, the imprints of women often lie just behind the visible surface of society: essential, defining, yet not always recognized. Even though they don’t occupy the front covers of history, they still shape its substance. Their contributions mark the very identity of our communities and histories, even when they are not the first thing the world sees. At a time when equality and justice are often treated as side notes rather than front covers, ex-libris remind us that the real story is often hidden from plain sight, but its imprints endure the test of time. The act of marking, whether on paper, in society, or in memory, is a way of refusing silence. This way, each ex-libris, however small, becomes a voice; and together, they form an archive of persistence, creativity, and hope. This year’s Biennial theme draws inspiration from Reactor – Research in Action, a local think-tank whose two decades of work have been dedicated to advancing equality, participation, and social justice. Building on this legacy, we invite artists to trace the subtle inscriptions of identity, rights, and memory as marks that lie beneath the surface, shaping the spaces where meaning and belonging take root. It also welcomes artistic reflections on the imprints that women and marginalized groups leave on culture and society, often from the edges of visibility. Through these gestures – whether personal or collective, fragile or bold, private or political – new possibilities for transformation emerge. In this way, the Biennial remains true to its tradition of celebrating the ex-libris as a small artistic form with expansive meaning. This theme is broad by design, allowing works that explore personal identity, cultural belonging, social critique, feminist narratives, and collective memory. It opens space for quiet acts of resistance, for gestures that inscribe presence where it is most often overlooked. Through this openness, the Biennial invites artists to interpret margins and imprints across personal and collective dimensions. Through this lens, the Biennial becomes not only an exhibition of prints, but also a collective reflection: what imprints are we leaving for the future, and whose voices will be remembered?

The bookplates have to meet the following requirements:

  • A dedication with the family name of the owner or of an existing institution must be an integral part of the bookplates composition, together with the words “Ex Libris”.
  • The dedication should consist of a full first name and family name of the bookplates owner or the name of the institution; in the case of the use of abbreviated inscriptions, or if using initials, the full name and surname of the bookplates owner must be provided on the reverse and in the application form.
  • Work dimensions: paper size: 20x20cm, image size: 13x13cm
  • All graphic art techniques are acceptable. Drawings, studies and designs are excluded.
  • Each artist can participate with max. 3 different bookplates.
  • The following information must be provided on the reverse of each work: name and surname of the creator, the full name and surname of the bookplates owner (optional), the bookplates dimensions, technique used, and year of creation.
  • Works should be sent unframed, without mount.

The deadline for submissions is 1 December 2025. This deadline includes the arrival and reception of the bookplates at the
location. (Due to potential postal delays, participants are encouraged to mail their submissions as earlyas possible.) Works that do not fulfill the above criteria will be rejected. There is NO ENTRY FEE and RETURN of the prints.There is going to be one first, second and third award and it consists of letter of appreciation and a medal. The organizers do not hold the responsibility if any of the works are lost or damaged during transport. Every participant will receive an Е- Letter of appreciation. The catalogue will be published electronically on the web site of IEXLS www.exlibrisskopje.com, and each author will be able to download it without any fee. By this, we would like to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to greener and cleaner environments. Moreover, the whole exhibition will be posted as a permanent online exhibition, and other materials from the opening of the exhibition will be also shared on the same website.

Please send the works with the legible application ( EN / MK ) form to the following address:
7th INTERNATIONAL EX LIBRIS EXIBITION SKOPJE 2025
CULTURAL INFORMATION CENTER – SKOPJE
Ul.”Filip Vtori Makedonski”, bb
1000 Skopje Republic of North Macedonia
EUROPE

The official opening of the 7th International Ex Libris Exhibition Skopje 2025 will be held on 25th December 2025 at the gallery “Imperijal I” of the Cultural Information Center – Skopje.
For additional information, please contact:
Sonja Dimovska
Email: dimovskas@gmail.com

All works qualified for the exhibition will remain in the collection of the International Ex Libris Exhibition Skopje as their property.