Bibliothèque nationale et universitaire de Strasbourg (BNU), 13 September 2025 – As part of Malta’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, a special cultural event was held on Saturday 13 September at the Bibliothèque nationale et universitaire de Strasbourg (BNU). Timed to coincide with International Literacy Week, the programme celebrated Maltese literature, animation, and design through a day of storytelling, games, and art aimed at children aged 3 to 12.
The day-long event featured bilingual storytelling sessions, engaging board games developed by Maltese creators Mighty Boards, and a thought-provoking exhibition by artist James Dimech exploring the use of paper in fashion design.
Young audiences had the chance to meet and interact with acclaimed Maltese authors and illustrators. The Storytime in Two Languages sessions, delivered in Maltese, English and French, encouraged early literacy and cultural exchange through a live, side-by-side reading format. In the morning sessions (ages 3–8), author Saviour Pirotta read from his original works, including King Midas and The Lion and the Mouse, followed by French readings by Antonella Axisa. This was followed by Clare Azzopardi reading from her children’s stories in Maltese, with Tyrone Grima providing the French translation. The dual-language approach allowed children to flow naturally between languages, fostering early multilingual awareness.
A curated animation showcase, also presented by Axisa, introduced young audiences to a vibrant selection of original Maltese animation. Chosen for their accessibility and creativity, the animated films showcased a variety of visual styles and narrative techniques that celebrated storytelling in all its forms.
In the afternoon (ages 8–12), the sessions continued with more mature themes and content. Clare Azzopardi and Antonella Axisa returned to read from Kidane and #noħlomliXiDarba, while Saviour Pirotta read a chapter from his novel The Golden Horsemen of Baghdad, with French interpretation by Tyrone Grima. A second animation programme followed, offering older children a deeper insight into the power of narrative and visual expression.
Visitors were also invited to sample a taste of Malta with traditional snacks such as Kinnie and Twistees, adding a playful and authentic flavour to the day’s activities.The day concluded with the official opening of “Fashion Through Folds”, an exhibition by Maltese artist James Dimech. Curated by Sean Buhagiar, the exhibition transforms paper into sculptural garments—pleated, stitched, and tailored into commanding forms that bridge the worlds of fashion, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Dimech’s work reimagines recycled and unconventional paper materials, such as Kraft-Tex and Milk Tissue Paper, as vessels of cultural and artistic storytelling. Displayed within the BNU’s architectural quiet, the garments stood as both homage to Malta’s material heritage and proposition for a more imaginative, resourceful future.