What is National Storytelling Week?

National Storytelling Week, celebrated annually during the last week of January, highlights the timeless art of storytelling in the United Kingdom. Organized by the Society for Storytelling, the event invites people of all ages to share, enjoy, and create stories in schools, libraries, community centers, and homes.

This week fosters literacy, creativity, and cultural appreciation, offering a platform to explore the stories that connect us and inspire meaningful engagement with the spoken and written word.

History and Origin

National Storytelling Week was established in 1993 by the Society for Storytelling to revive and sustain oral storytelling traditions in the UK. Over the years, it has grown into a celebrated cultural event, featuring live performances, workshops, and community gatherings.

The initiative preserves the art of storytelling as a tool for education, cultural exchange, and emotional connection. It underscores storytelling’s role in passing down heritage, building empathy, and fostering creativity.

Who Celebrates National Storytelling Week?

• Educators and Students: Use storytelling in classrooms to encourage imagination and enhance learning.
• Libraries and Bookstores: Host events and promote books that celebrate storytelling traditions.
• Community Centers and Museums: Organize storytelling sessions and explore cultural narratives.
• Families and Individuals: Share stories at home or participate in local events to connect with loved ones.
• Professional Storytellers: Showcase their craft and inspire audiences with compelling narratives.

Themes and Slogans

National Storytelling Week often adopts themes that inspire creativity and focus on specific storytelling techniques, genres, or cultural traditions. These themes provide direction for events and encourage exploration of diverse perspectives.

Slogans like “Stories That Unite Us” and “Sharing Tales, Building Bridges” capture the spirit of the week, emphasizing storytelling’s power to connect people.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

Colors:

• Orange: Represents the warmth and joy stories bring.
• Green: Symbolizes growth and the nurturing of creativity.
• Blue: Reflects introspection and the emotional depth of storytelling.

Symbols:

• Open Book: Represents the written form of storytelling and its accessibility.
• Story Circle: Symbolizes the communal and inclusive nature of oral storytelling.
• Quill or Pen: Highlights the act of writing and creating stories.

Patterns:

• Interwoven Threads: Represent the interconnected nature of stories and cultures.
• Spirals: Reflect the evolving and cyclical journey of narratives.
• Abstract Typography: Celebrates the visual aspect of storytelling and language.

How to Celebrate National Storytelling Week

• Attend Storytelling Events: Participate in live storytelling sessions hosted by schools, libraries, or community groups.
• Host a Storytelling Circle: Bring people together to share personal stories, folk tales, or imaginative creations.
• Incorporate Stories in Education: Teachers can enhance lessons with storytelling to make learning more engaging.
• Explore Global Narratives: Share and learn from stories of different cultures to appreciate the diversity of storytelling traditions.
• Encourage Creative Writing: Motivate children and adults to write their own stories and share them with others.

Most Used Hashtags

• #NationalStorytellingWeek
• #ShareAStory
• #StorytellingTradition
• #CulturalNarratives
• #StoriesThatConnect

Why is National Storytelling Week Important?

National Storytelling Week celebrates the power of storytelling to entertain, educate, and inspire. It emphasizes storytelling as a fundamental way of communicating human experiences, passing down heritage, and fostering understanding between individuals and cultures.

This week highlights the importance of storytelling in building connections, nurturing creativity, and enhancing literacy. By engaging in storytelling, participants not only explore narratives but also strengthen their bonds with others, ensuring this timeless art form continues to thrive.