World Storytelling Emblem

Stories have been told around campfires, around kitchen tables, and in circles of friends for as long as people gathered.

Imagine yourself in one of those places, sharing a story of adventure, family fun, or silly antics. It could be a story from history, family lore, or a folk tale.

People are wired for stories, both young and old. From cradle until the end of life, people remember things shared in story.

World Storytelling Day is “a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling,” celebrated every year around the world at the time of the March equinox (on or near March 20).

The theme this year, after discussion and voting by storytellers around the world,  is Light in the Dark. Concerts will be held in many countries at this time of year. Many people will tell or listen to stories in languages from around the world at many places and times during that day.

Storytellers of Canada

What is World Storytelling Day?

The idea had its root in Sweden in 1992 but it was 2003 when Canada first joined this grand global celebration.

Some tellers may have stories for children, however our concert is for adults 18 and over. Stories may be longer and they may be created with adults in mind, stories of wisdom and change, of growth and learning.

Baden Storytellers Guild has been celebrating World Storytelling Day since the days of the Story Barn in Baden with our host, mentor, and curator Mary-Eileen McClear. The Guild continues this tradition since moving our storytelling home to Waterloo’s Button Factory.  We have also had concerts at The Button Factory and Waterloo Region Museum.

Baden Storyteller’s Guild 2019 concert at the Button Factory in Waterloo

Storytelling at Waterloo Region Museum

Guild members at the Story Barn

Our founder, Mary-Eileen, second to the right in the back row

The guild also hosts Stories Aloud, another tradition begun at the Story Barn in Baden. That event was held on the First Friday of the month from September to June. Upon moving from Baden, our date was shifted to the second Friday of the month.

Members continue this tradition in recognition of, and in memory of Mary-Eileen McClear, and because we all love hearing and telling a good story. We gather once a month to practise and learn about storytelling and how to make those stories more effective and bring our listeners “safely home.” Members learn how to craft a compelling narrative, considering such pieces as characters, conflict, and change. Told well, our stories inspire and are memorable.

Each storytelling concert may create their own emblem or art. Ours this year is a gift of a member of a storyteller’s family. Our art this year is a gift, thanks to Margaret McCullum.

I hope you will consider coming to hear our stories. Seating is limited for the concert.