The working title for the opera is Elements for the Future, with each story inspired by and built around one natural element. High school students from three European schools in Gdańsk (PL), Helsinki (FI), and Modena (IT) wrote stories respectively centered on water, air, and earth. A total of nine stories were submitted in response to the open call, but only three could be chosen.

What topics are striking the young students the most? Let’s hear their voices on issues like greenwashing, pollution, the representation of nonhuman entities and giving voice to the absent referents, harmonizing the relationship between people and the environment, or human relationships deteriorated by the climate crisis.

Out of the nine proposals, three stories were selected to become part of the opera: Pearl of Hope(Italy), The Lake of Ashes(Poland), and The Prince of Harmony(Finland).

We invite you to dive into all nine stories, now accessible in The Digital Book of Project Butterfly Students’ Co-creation Journey. Explore the creative work of these students, which serves as the foundation for opera professionals from the three partner opera houses who will develop the upcoming opera librettos.

Access the digital book here: Students’ Co-creation Journey