The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) hosted the creative writer Elisabetta Dami over two days this week for creative reading sessions, featuring her beloved characters Geronimo Stilton and his sister Thea. Scheduled on 6th and 7th November, these engaging sessions allowed students from various schools to discover the Geronimo Stilton story and explore the art of storytelling with the author herself. During the session, Omani sign language and simultaneous translation from Arabic-English were also offered to everyone.
This initiative forms part of ROHM's education and outreach programme, reinforcing its mission to connect communities through enriching cultural experiences. The event included two engaging sessions each day, with 60 children per session, aged 7 to 12 years. Among the participants were students from various schools, including hearing-impaired students.
Commenting on the initiative, the Artistic Director and General Director of the Royal Opera House Muscat stated, “The Creative Reading initiative is a vital component of our educational and outreach programme, designed to provide world-class activities for audiences of all ages. I am immensely grateful to Elisabetta Dami for visiting Oman and conducting engaging sessions in this initiative featuring her beloved characters, Geronimo and Thea, for our students. As an institution, we are committed to bringing the best creative works from around the world to keep inspiring our younger generations."
The author of Geronimo Stilton, Elisabetta Dami, also added: “I want to thank all my friends in Oman, and especially those at the Royal Opera House in Muscat, for the extraordinary welcome given to me, Geronimo and Thea Stilton, and my colleagues. It was an honor to share my experiences and the good values I believe in within this place of ancient culture and wonderful beauty. I was deeply impressed by the smiles, politeness and enthusiasm of the young people I met, who inspire me to continue writing new stories. The younger generations are our hope for a better future, and it is our responsibility to support their growth by passing on culture and values."
Alongside this event, the Italian Embassy in Oman generously donated more than 200 copies of “A Thousand Wonders: A Journey to Discover Italy" from the Stilton Collection in both Arabic and English to all participating students. This delightful volume follows Geronimo Stilton and his family as they embark on an adventure through Italy, exploring its enchanting cities, charming villages, captivating stories, and breathtaking landscapes. The books distributed during the initiative were provided by Mondadori Libri SpA – PIEMME trademark to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The sessions highlighted the adventures of Geronimo Stilton, a charming mouse journalist whose humorous and heartwarming stories have captured the imagination of children worldwide. With over 52 language translations, Dami's books continue to inspire young minds globally. The Geronimo stories were originally conceived to bring comfort and joy to children in hospitals, reflecting the author's dedication to volunteering and philanthropy.
This unique event reflects ROHM's dedication to creating inclusive cultural experiences, engaging children from diverse backgrounds, and inspiring the next generation through the magic of books.