In celebration of the International Day for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Municipality of Castiglione delle Stiviere is promoting an initiative aimed at parents, educators, teachers, and the educational community. On Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 8:30 PM, a conference titled “From Little Red Riding Hood to Pokémon – Evolutions and Changes in the Magical World of Today’s Children” will take place in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. This event, organized in collaboration with the territorial pedagogical coordination of the Guidizzolo area, aims to reflect on the role of fairy tales and modern narratives in the education of young children, in an era marked by digital technology and new multimedia languages. The initiative seeks to highlight the educational power of stories as a tool for emotional growth and the construction of children’s identity. The conference will feature Dr. Paola Tosi, a family educator from ANPEF and trainer in educational services, and Dr. Vera Acquistapace, a psychologist and psychotherapist specializing in child development. Both will lead a discussion on the transformations of children’s symbolic worlds, from traditional fairy tales to the contemporary realms of video games and cartoons. The Councilor for Youth Social Policies and Public Education, Erica Gazzurelli, emphasizes that the meeting represents an opportunity to rediscover the fairy tale as a powerful ally in the growth of young children: “Fantasy stories, populated by imaginary characters and invented creatures, help children understand their inner world and experience emotions.” Mayor Enrico Volpi also highlights the value of the initiative: “We are pleased to host events that stimulate discussion on new educational tools and help address the challenges related to childhood in a rapidly changing society.” To commemorate the occasion, the Municipality will illuminate the Clock Tower, a symbol of the city, in blue as a sign of support for the International Day for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, now in its third edition in Castiglione delle Stiviere. Participation in the conference is free, with certificates available upon request. Reservations are encouraged at the Youth Educational Policies Office of the Municipality (politichegiovanili@comune.castiglione.mn.it – tel. 0376 679242). The day will also feature an afternoon event dedicated to younger children: at 4:30 PM, the Arturo Sigurtà Library on Via Ascoli 31 will host “Thursday for Little Readers,” a reading session for children aged 4 to 8. Italian Version
From Little Red Riding Hood to Pokémon: a conference to understand the magical world of today’s children
