Project CITADEL launches at Esplora

Project CITADEL’s launch event took place on Friday 15 May 2026, marking a significant milestone for the role of the Classics in today’s digital world. Led by the University of Malta in partnership with the University of Gdańsk, the University of Groningen, and Born Digital Studio, CITADEL presents a digital mobile game designed to revive young people’s interest in Classics through reflective engagement on Greek mythology, war, identity, and peace.

Held at the Planetarium Hall of Esplora Interactive Science Centre in Kalkara, project CITADEL’s launch event gathered the project’s consortium together with scholars, diplomats, educators, researchers, and interested members of the public. The morning opened with welcome remarks by Dr Carmel Serracino (Principal Investigator), Andrew Debono Cauchi (Research Support Officer), and Skye Vassallo, whose original work laid the foundation for the project.

The international dimension of project CITADEL was highlighted through keynote speeches by H.E. Stella Bezirtzoglou, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Malta, and H.E. Djoeke Adimi-Koekkoek, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malta. Their contributions framed the launch as a moment of cultural exchange, educational innovation, and European cooperation.

The programme then turned to presentations by project CITADEL’s consortium partners: the University of Malta (lead partner), the University of Gdańsk, the University of Groningen, and Born Digital Studio. Together, these presentations traced the project’s journey from classroom-based teaching campaigns in Malta, Poland, and the Netherlands to the design and development of a complete digital video game.

After a short coffee break, Prof. Ing. Simon G. Fabri, Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Malta addressed the audience, highlighting how project CITADEL utilised principles of research engagement in an international context. Participants were then introduced to the game itself, its characters, and its decision-driven approach to the Homeric epic. Finally, a panel discussion on classical reception and the challenges of the 21^st century invited wider reflection on how ancient stories can illuminate contemporary concerns.

The University of Malta and project CITADEL’s consortium would like to thank Esplora Interactive Science Centre for hosting this launch event and for all their assistance in ensuring the success of this milestone.