Celebrating the art of storytelling, today we look deeper into the origin of this day!

Started in Sweden, World Storytelling Day is now celebrated globally, every year on the 20th of March. The story-telling festival celebrates the art of oral story-telling at a global level. It encourages people to tell and listen to vernacular literature’s stories.

Storytelling Session; Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

As a part of the global celebration, many tell their stories. Some listen to it to derive inspiration. At the same time, some do it to create contacts. And many more such benefits.

Origin:

Somewhere around 1991-92, on this day, an event was organised in Sweden called the Alla Beratteres Dag, which literally translates to All Storytellers Day. Though the network of storytellers died down over time, the day continued to be celebrated by different individuals.

India has a rich bardic culture. We have had people narrating events from the past in poetic forms. Whether it is Ramayana or Mahabharata, these works are living proof that the art of oral story-telling existed in India since times immemorial.

When it comes to the theme Lost and Found, the Indian culture has so much potential. The theme could be interpreted historically. This could be an opportunity where one can bring out the stories which were lost through the pages of history.

Not only will it add more value to the theme, but will also enrich the experience of the teller and the listener!

1997 saw the spur in this celebration when storytellers in Perth, West Australia coordinated a five-week-long storytelling event. Soon thereafter, the storytelling event in March was recognised internationally. What once started from one country spread across Europe, and by 2009, it was celebrated globally.

Each year a theme is assigned for storytelling, this year, the theme is Lost and Found.

Where does India Stand?

Logo of World Storytelling Day; Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Valmiki narrating Ramayana (British Library)