Jackie Kerin sharing the Roman experience.
With the support of storytelling
colleagues, friends, my Folk Club and Hobsons Bay Council, I represented
Storytelling Australia (Victoria) at the Federation for European Storytelling Conference. Following the Conference was the Rome International Storytelling
Festival.
The idea for a European Federation for
European Storytelling was first mooted in 2001, in Paris at the Maison du Conte in
response to the challenge faced by storytellers to be recognized for their art.
Behind the Federation is the idea that as a group, storytellers would have more
‘weight’ as well as providing a network for building expertise, collaborations,
and the development of new storytellers.
FEST is a not for profit organization with
its address in Belgium.
To be a member you have to be based in
Europe. Members include: storytellers, producers and festival directors. Non
members are welcome.
Since its formation, FEST has met in Oslo
(Norway), Lausanne (Switzerland), Reading (England) and Toledo (Spain).
This year, FEST attracted 90 delegates. The
non member guests included, Canada, Pakistan, the USA, Singapore and Australia.
The conference is a mix of discussions and
idea sharing: training young storytellers, audience development, putting
storytelling on the cultural map.
Many discussions were parallel to those we
have in Australia eg, agreement of the function and design of a website,
cultural appropriation, encouraging young tellers etc
The big difference between Australian and
European storytelling, as I saw it, is the separation of storytelling as art, from
storytelling as a ‘tool’ to educate, heal etc. Many of the storytellers are
deeply connected to their oral traditions and focus on the folk tales from
their place. I perceived less interest in original stories and autobiographical storytelling.
The next FEST Conference will take place in
2014 in the north of Sweden and should we wish to send another Australian we
will need time to fundraise and apply for grants to get them there. FEST was
exhilarating and exhausting. I learned much and am keen to share my experience.
I met several old friends of Australian
storytellers and compiled this little film for you all.
I have also created this video of the Conference. Its a little rough (my first attempt at such a thing) but I thought it was a better way of sharing the experience with you, rather than a long email.
