Ottawa StoryTellers (OST) and Ottawa Public Library (OPL) are delighted to present theannual Children’s Storytelling Festivalfrom November 21 to 26, 2022, with storytelling events online and in person. Talented storytellers from Ottawa and across Canada will engage and delight children aged 0 to 12, their families, friends, and classmates ̶ in English and French ̶ with a diverse variety of unforgettable stories. The Festival is held in partnership with Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Cercle des Conteurs et Conteuses de l’Est de l’Ontario (CCCEO), Conseil des Écoles Catholiques Centre-Est (CECCE), and Consortium Centre Jules-Léger (CCJL).
The teams behind this year’s Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival are thrilled to offer kids a chance to express their own creativity as each telling will be followed by craft activities where children can create a response to the stories they hear in person from passionate and engaging professional storytellers. There will be stories to suit every imagination. These performed stories will stir up laughter, spark creativity and, as great stories do, foster empathy and lead young listeners to reflect on themselves and the values that underpin their understanding of the world.
"One of the most important things that stories offer youth is the knowledge that each one of them has what it takes to live their lives.” says Jennifer Cayley retired Artistic Director of Ottawa Storytellers.“The stories tell youth that it won't be easy. There will be difficulties along the way. But with the help of friends, they each have, deep inside themselves, what it takes to live a good life. Kids don't get this message often enough. That's why they need more stories."
“Telling stories is one of the most powerful means that people have to share, to teach, and to inspire,” says Sonia Bebbington, Chief Librarian and CEO of OPL. “Stories teach kids social values, acquaint them with other cultures and perspectives, and strengthen their foundation for literacy and learning. With several Indigenous tellers and an array of stories from around the world, the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival is a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to experience the power of storytelling in person or online.”
The storytelling events are organized by age group and language. All performances will be available on YouTube with closed captioning in the weeks following. Many of the storytelling performances will take place live, in-person at various locations: OPL branches, Odawa Native Friendship Centre, at CCJL, and livestreamed on OPL’s Facebook Page. Both CECCE and CCJL are pleased to associate as partners for the francophone components of the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival. Select performances will have American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation.
Parents and teachers are encouraged to mark their calendars, all programs are free and open to the public. For more information and the full schedule visit www.ottawastorytellers.ca or www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.
The Festival is generously supported by the City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council, the Ottawa Community Foundation, Harry P. Ward Foundation, ROGERS TV, Sign Language Interpreters Association of Ontario, The Fleck Family Foundation, Bilingual Ottawa, and the Province of Ontario.