We want to tell you a story...and in return, you can tell us one. This is the exciting concept behind the Hounslow Digital Festival of Storytelling, coming to the borough in February.
Published: Monday, 23rd January 2023
Do you have story you want to share?
Hounslow is getting ready to become a storytelling capital, as the Council prepares for a feast of fables and a menagerie of myths and legends that is the Hounslow Digital Festival of Storytelling.
Based on the success of last summer’s Festival of Storytelling, one of the highlights of Hounslow Council’s Summer of Culture programme, the digital version will vividly bring the ancient tradition of storytelling to life in your living room.
And the really special thing about the storytelling festival is … residents are the main characters.
Throughout February and into March, there will be a host of online storytelling events and workshops from professional storytellers. The aim is to celebrate this oldest of art forms and encourage residents of the borough to share their stories.
The programme will be complemented by a toolkit of video tips from the storytellers. They will tell you how residents can craft your tale in creative and imaginative ways.
The idea is for people to record their own stories to form part of a collection for Hounslow.
The stories can be the tales that family members were told as children, the family myths passed down through the generations or the story of how residents’ journeys led them to Hounslow.
Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities, Councillor Shivraj Grewal, said: “Last year our borough came together to celebrate our Summer of Culture. The festival saw tens of thousands of people enjoy an exciting and varied programme of events that celebrated our talent, our heritage and our diversity.
“We want to keep the spirit of the Summer of Culture alive through our Digital Festival of Storytelling. The festival promises something for everyone and we want residents and communities across our borough to get involved.
“The Digital Festival of Storytelling is your story. Your chance to share the tales that are part of your history and identity. We can’t wait to hear them.”
From Monday, 6 February until Sunday, 12 February the professional storytellers will astound residents with a selection of folk tales and fables from across the globe online for free.
Highlights include Persian Myths and Poetry with Zahra Afsah - a performance in Farsi with English subtitles, Indian Mythological Tales with Chandrika Joshi, Folktales of the World with Giles Abbot and Migration, Ancestors and Identity with Anna Mudeka.
The grand finale will include an interactive live online story telling event, where participants can choose their own story.
Then from Monday, 13 February until Monday, 6 March, it’s over to Hounslow residents to use the online tools to craft a saga that will astound listeners and viewers for generations to come.
- You can find all the information about Hounslow’s Digital Festival of Storytelling, including how to sign up for the free sessions and workshops at: inhounslow.com/storytelling
