Aberdeenshire schools offered free storytelling sessions

Storyteller Janis Mackay gets children involved in her tale.

In return schools pledge good deeds to their local community creating The Big Scottish Story Ripple.

The Big Scottish Story Ripple is part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s Community and Family Programme which hosts event across Scotland between October 12 and November 30.

The SISF Community and Family Programme is bookending and running alongside the main Scottish International Storytelling Festival (October 17 to 31). The SISF Community and Family Programme is a local celebration of storytelling, pairing local tellers with schools and community groups in digital and small-scale live settings – keeping things safe and slow with a varied and enjoyable programme for all.

Aberdeenshire schools and community groups are encouraged to dip their toes in the world of storytelling by applying for a fully funded storytelling session as part of The Big Scottish Story Ripple.

Successful applicants will receive a free one-hour storytelling session led by a professional teller from Scotland’s Storytelling Directory and in return, must offer a good deed back to their local community on or before St Andrew’s Day, continuing a ripple of kindness.

Events can be held digitally or in small live local gathering that adheres to Covid-19 guidelines suggested at the time of the event. The deadline for applications is Monday, October 5.

National Development Officer for the Scottish Storytelling Forum, Miriam Morris says: “We’re delighted to offer financial subsidy to those wishing to use storytelling in their community. This is a great opportunity for schools and community groups to share and connect with stories in their own creative way – engaging with one of Scotland’s traditional art forms via contemporary means whilst simultaneously giving back to their communities.

“We aim to offer financial support to all those that apply. However, if there is an over subscription, we will operate on a first come, first served basis so do please get your applications in as soon as possible.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing the way communities choose to interact with The Big Scottish Story Ripple. Using the wonderful gift of stories to connect, especially after what has been a prolonged time of isolation and disconnect for many. After all, community only exists if we communicate and storytelling, one of Scotland’s oldest art forms is the perfect vehicle to helps us do this!”

Schools can apply at https://bit.ly/TBSSR

Community groups and libraries apply via: https://bit.ly/TBSSRC