Rome hosted the second event in the cultural series 'The Month of Romanian Literature in Rome', a project dedicated to Romanian and Italian audiences that aims to provide Romanian literature with a vibrant space for dialogue with the major questions of the present. The guest was Catalin Pavel, an archaeologist, writer and successful author of children's books, regarded as one of the original voices of contemporary Romanian culture.
The event took place at the prestigious Palazzo Valentini, headquarters of the Citta Metropolitana di Roma Capitale (Rome's metropolitan administration), and attracted a large audience, bringing together Romanians and Italians, according to information provided by the Embassy of Romania in Italy, which organised the event.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Gabriela Dancau underlined the importance of institutional cooperation that makes such cultural meetings possible. 'Such initiatives demonstrate how culture can transform institutions into genuine bridges between communities, traditions and different sensibilities,' she said.
Following the first event in the series, which featured writer Mircea Cartarescu as its protagonist, the meeting at Palazzo Valentini addressed a topic less frequently discussed in the public sphere: the role of children's literature in an era dominated by screens and digital technologies.
In a dialogue with Professor Bruno Mazzoni, an eminent translator of Romanian literature, writer Catalin Pavel offered a broad reflection on the ways in which reading can shape the imagination, thinking and future of the younger generations. The discussion sparked a lively exchange with the audience, who joined in with questions and reflections on how literature can remain relevant for children in a technology-dominated world.
In his intervention, Catalin Pavel highlighted the responsibility of society and families in shaping future readers. 'I believe we are at a crossroads moment for children's literature. In many ways, the fate of literature depends on it: whether young people will continue to read - and whether adults in the 2040s will still read - or whether we will ultimately choose screens instead of books,' he said.
The writer also drew attention to the importance of literature written in one's mother tongue, which creates a direct connection with a child's imagination and sensitivity.
At the same time, he warned about the risks that digital technology may pose to the learning process. 'For a book, the reader is a partner, a participant. In the logic of digital technology, the user becomes first and foremost a customer,' Pavel argued.
The series 'The Month of Romanian Literature in Rome' aims, throughout March, to create a space for dialogue between Romanian and Italian culture, starting from the belief that literature remains one of the essential tools for developing critical thinking, empathy and imagination.
The public is invited to attend the upcoming meetings in the programme (https://roma.mae.ro/local-news/3840), all with free access, subject to available seating, with prior registration at the email address: roma.events@mae.ro.
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