National Storytelling Week

National Storytelling Week, which runs from 30th January to 6th February this year, is an annual event to promote and celebrate storytelling. 2010 sees in a decade of National Storytelling Week, with hundreds of events across the country.

National Storytelling Week aims to bring storytelling to everyone – not just children, but adults too – with events and performances held in schools, arts centres, libraries, theatres, museums, pubs, bookshops, retirement homes and even prisons.

In its first year, 200 events were held as part of National Storytelling Week, and in 2009 it reached 16,000 people across the country.

The first week of February was chosen to coincide with Candlemas, which falls on the 2nd of February. Part of the rituals for this old church festival includes a blessing on the throat, the primary tool of nearly every storyteller.

From simple storytelling to workshops and performances, National Storytelling Week can take you back to your childhood and put the magic back into storytelling.

Visit the Society of Storytelling to find more information on National Storytelling Week and search for events in your area – or even organise one yourself.