Cast of storytellers to delight with tales in many tongues

Dunedin (Friday, 9 December) – The organisers of Dunedin’s inaugural International Storytelling Festival have been overwhelmed with support – so much so, they have started a waiting list for storytellers.

The festival, “Around the World in 80 Tales”, will be held at the Dunedin City Library on 19 March 2017. It will feature stories in 15 languages drawn from the city’s diverse cultures.

Festival Coordinator Brydee Strang says “International Story Day is an opportunity to play with language and sample a number of cultures.”

“People are really excited about taking part in this festival. Stories let us see the world through others’ eyes. They are a portal to the past and to new countries,” says Ms Strang.

Storyteller Roberta Carvalho is deciding which story to share. She is thinking about Amazonian legends – which have roots in her culture – and is also drawn to more contemporary Brazilian stories.

Mrs Carvalho says children love hearing other languages and she wants to tell a story that will be dynamic in both languages.

The festival was the brainchild of Ms Strang and local storyteller Kaitrin McMullan, who will run a storytelling workshop before the festival. “Every culture has a storytelling tradition”, Miss McMullan says. “And what better way to celebrate Dunedin’s diverse peoples than through story, told in the music of their mother tongue?”

The festival will include dance, puppets, songs and music, and the organisers are looking for volunteers to help on the day. People who would like to volunteer can email dunedinstoryday@gmail.com.

International Storytelling Festival: Around the World in 80 Tales
Sunday, 19 March, 11am – 3pm
Dunedin City Library
FREE
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