He has an "Apache cheese" name, but he is a mouse journalist created by an Italian storyteller. After conquering children in most parts of the world and being translated into more than 50 languages, Geronimo Stilton now also speaks Kiswahili, thanks to an initiative promoted by the Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi.
"Mille meraviglie, viaggio alla scoperta dell'Italia" (A Thousand Wonders, a journey of discovery of Italy) is a didactic book that, through the adventures of the famous cartoon character, recounts the beauty and peculiarities of our country.
The first Swahili-language edition of a Stilton book was presented on Saturday in Nairobi, as part of KidsCon, the new event dedicated to children and young people organised by the Nairobi Comic Convention.
IIC Director Elena Gallenca introduced the famous 'topographer', the brainchild of Elisabetta Dami, and inside the fair the institute set up a stand where two Kenyan actors, Aroji Otieno and Ben Ndubi, played Geronimo Stilton, entertaining the children.
"With the translation into Kiswahili we bring Kenyan children closer to Italy in their own language, this operation is part of our initiatives that connect the two cultures, just as we do with Italian courses for Kenyan citizens and local operators in the tourism sector," said the director.
"A Thousand Wonders. Viaggio alla scoperta dell'Italia" is a special project promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Italian National Commission for UNESCO and realised by Edizioni Piemme-Mondadori libri, with the aim of bringing girls and boys from all over the world closer to the artistic and cultural wonders of Italy.
    Accompanied by his entire family, in "A Thousand Wonders", Geronimo Stilton travels around Italy discovering cities, villages, stories and landscapes. From Rome to Venice, from the Apennines to the Alps, the friendly reporter visits the most famous monuments and places (including many sites on the UNESCO World Heritage lists), without forgetting the most hidden and lesser-known gems.
    The Swahili language edition now joins the Italian, French, Spanish and English versions and the more recent Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Ukrainian, Arabic and Vietnamese translations. This special edition was produced by the IIC Nairobi in collaboration with Atlantyca entertainment, responsible for the international editions of the Geronimo Stilton books, and the Kenyan publisher Twaweza communications.
    The book was made available as a preview to the public on the occasion of KidsCon and will then be distributed in schools and libraries, offering young Swahili-speaking readers the chance to follow the exciting adventures of Geronimo Stilton and explore Italy accompanied by an excellent guide.