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The World Storytelling Day logo is the design of Mats Rehnman of Fabula Storytelling, Stockholm
World Storytelling Day has its roots in a national day for storytelling in Sweden, circa 1991-2. At that time, an event was organized for March 20 in Sweden called "Alla berattares dag" (All storytellers day). The Swedish national storytelling network passed out some time after, but the day stayed alive, celebrated around the country by different enthusiasts. In 1997, storytellers in Perth, Western Australia coordinated a five-week long Celebration of Story, commemorating March 20 as the International Day of Oral Narrators. At the same time, in Mexico and other South American countries, March 20 was already celebrated as the National Day of Storytellers.
When the Scandinavian storytelling web-network, Ratatosk, started around 2001, Scandinavian storytellers started talking, and in 2002, the event spread from Sweden to Norway, Denmark, Finland and Lithuania. In 2003, the idea spread to Canada and other countries, and the event has become known internationally as World Storytelling Day. World Storytelling Day 2005 had a grande finale on Sunday March the 20th. There were events from 25 countries on 5 continents, and 2006 saw the program grow further.
When the Scandinavian storytelling web-network, Ratatosk, started around 2001, Scandinavian storytellers started talking, and in 2002, the event spread from Sweden to Norway, Denmark, Finland and Lithuania. In 2003, the idea spread to Canada and other countries, and the event has become known internationally as World Storytelling Day. World Storytelling Day 2005 had a grande finale on Sunday March the 20th. There were events from 25 countries on 5 continents, and 2006 saw the program grow further.
Themes
Each year, many of the individual storytelling events that take place around the globe are linked by a common theme. Each year, the theme is identified by and agreed upon by storytellers from around the world. In 2004 - Birds; 2005 - Bridges; 2006 - The Moon; 2007 - The Wanderer; 2008 - Dreams.
Each year, many of the individual storytelling events that take place around the globe are linked by a common theme. Each year, the theme is identified by and agreed upon by storytellers from around the world. In 2004 - Birds; 2005 - Bridges; 2006 - The Moon; 2007 - The Wanderer; 2008 - Dreams.
In 2009, the theme is: Neighbours
Details of World Storytelling Day events around the world can be found at
In Western Ausralia
Three events have been scheduled:
1. 'Room for Stories' at Caversham Primary School.
Class teachers will rotate from room to room to tell a story and move on to the next class. Facilitator: Neville Blampey
Class teachers will rotate from room to room to tell a story and move on to the next class. Facilitator: Neville Blampey
2. 'Introducton to Storytelling' [Open to the Public]
Saturday, 21 March, 2009 2.00-4.00pm
at the Joondalup Library.
Facilitator: Bill Park
3. 'Who is my Neighbour?'
A storytelling concert at Our Lady of Mercy Primary School, Girrawheen.
Facilitator: Mabel Kaplan
at the Joondalup Library.
Facilitator: Bill Park
3. 'Who is my Neighbour?'
A storytelling concert at Our Lady of Mercy Primary School, Girrawheen.
Facilitator: Mabel Kaplan
But don't let these scheduled events prevent you from celebrating the day in your own way.
Make time to share a story with a friend or neighbour.
Hold a house-party or barbecue
and spin a yarn
Hold a house-party or barbecue
and spin a yarn
Posts
Ahhh, yes! Thanks for the reminder. And I do appreciate the history behind it as well. I regret that I won't be able to cross hemispheres to attend the Australian events, but I'll have to find a way to celebrate!
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