Cambridge Festival of Stories is now under way
The Festival of Stories is due to take place across Cambridgeshire, with more than 60 storytelling events, both in-person and online, at venues across the county, including events every day in Cambridge.
From today (19 February) to 26 February, the festival aims to shine a light on how stories can be used in fun and interactive ways to bring a sparkle of magic to the everyday and boost young children’s communication, language, and literacy skills.
This is the fourth year of the programme which enables families of children from birth to five to enjoy children’s storytellers, an author and a puppet show, mostly for free or at very low cost. Interactive activities include scavenger hunts, story-making, rhyme times, treasure box making, and stay-and-play sessions.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s children and young people committee, said: “I am delighted that this event is taking place in Cambridgeshire.
“Storytelling is a particularly engaging medium for children, and for that reason it provides a great way to connect with them, support their communication skills and develop their understanding of the world around them.
“I hope as many families as possible can attend these exciting events.”
The Cambridge schedule begins today (19 February) at Arbury Court Library with storyteller Ellie Sandall, at 10.30-11.30am (free). There are then events taking place every day in the city including at North Cambridge Child & Family Centre, The Fields Child & Family Centre, and Chesterton Child & Family Centre. The programme concludes at Chesterton Child & Family Centre on 26 February with Marion Leeper & The Enormous Turnip, 1.30-2pm (£2 per family).
Storyteller Marion Leeper said: “The Festival of Stories is a great opportunity to devise a story specially for families and based on their everyday experience.
“Storytellers often say, ‘You have to tell a story to get a story’ and everyday stories like these encourage so many stories in response – the stories that every family tells with their children, the little, ordinary events that make memories to bind a family together.”
She added: “I’m doing a whole lot of family sessions for very young people, the events are countywide. It’s a week’s worth of storytelling for family groups and toddler groups, all over the place.”
The festival is supported by community groups including the Fitzwilliam Museum, Groundwork East, North Cambridge Community Partnership, All Saints Church in Elm, and Urban&Civic in Waterbeach, as well as several foodbanks and food hubs across the county. Partners include Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres, Cambridgeshire Libraries, Cambridgeshire Skills, Cambridgeshire Sensory Support Team, The Library Presents, and Barnardo’s.
Details of the Cambridge sessions available here.
