As part of Book Month, the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, in collaboration with Fundación La Fuente, will offer a space to discuss the books that inspired titles in its 2026 Season, including Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Martín Rivas by Alberto Blest Gana.

The meetings will take place free of charge on the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m., beginning on April 11.

Literature has always been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for other artistic expressions, leaping from the page to the stage to be reinterpreted and revisited by each generation, as frequently happens with Verona’s tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

It is precisely with this work that the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, together with Fundación La Fuente, launches its first book club as part of Book Month. This free initiative will allow participants to delve deeper into the Theatre’s 2026 Season through the literary works that inspired its programmed titles.

Through five sessions led by mediator Soledad Rodillo, participants will be able to discuss the historical contexts, human conflicts, and enduring relevance of these works, enriching the experience of attending the performances. The meetings will take place at the Municipal Theatre of Santiago (entrance on San Antonio Street 149) on the second Saturday of each month, beginning April 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..

Spaces are limited and require prior registration.

This year’s sessions are:

Martín Rivas, by Alberto Blest Gana — Saturday, August 8

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare — Saturday, April 11

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen — Saturday, May 9

Carmen, by Prosper Mérimée — Saturday, June 13

Electra, by Sophocles — Saturday, July 11

Carmen Gloria Larenas, General Director of the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, notes:

“Many of the productions presented in the Municipal Theatre of Santiago’s seasons are inspired by or directly based on literary works. For this reason, the importance we give to literature and reading is paramount—especially considering the reading and reading-comprehension levels in our country. In this context, our partnership with Fundación La Fuente, an institution with a long-standing track record in promoting reading, will be essential in establishing this book club as one of the most notable programmatic highlights of 2026 and as a space for content mediation that invites deep reflection.”

“The creation of this book club is another step forward in Fundación La Fuente’s relationship with the Municipal Theatre of Santiago. We are very pleased to strengthen this working partnership by developing a pilot initiative that connects books with the works presented on stage, allowing those interested in reading, opera, and ballet to find in this club a space for conversation and shared growth,” says Claudio Aravena, Development Manager at Fundación La Fuente.

“Reading the novels and plays that inspired each opera or ballet is a unique experience that we are opening up so that more people can take part. It is a way to collectively enjoy literature through timeless classics that remain relevant and that have transcended into different artistic forms—such as visual art, dance, and music—leading us to build a completely new cultural experience,” concludes Soledad Rodillo, the book club’s facilitator.

About Soledad Rodillo

She holds a degree in Journalism from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and a Master’s degree in Literature from the University of Chile. An avid reader, she dedicates her time to writing cultural articles for newspapers and specialized magazines. For the past nine years, she has coordinated the “Escritoras imprescindibles” book club at Fundación La Fuente.

About Fundación La Fuente

Founded in 2000, Fundación La Fuente is a non-profit organization created to design and implement educational and cultural projects that primarily benefit vulnerable communities in Chile. With a strong focus on promoting books and reading, the foundation has developed initiatives for schools, early childhood education centers, libraries, and informal education spaces aimed at bringing reading, educational development, and cultural opportunities closer to children, young people, and their families.