Scottish International Storytelling Festival

THE WORLD’S FINEST FEAST OF TRADITIONAL STORYTELLING

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“If you thought that August was the only month that Edinburgh has top quality international festivals, then you would be wrong.” (The Wee Review)

“enjoy the festival’s eclectic programme, the myriad stories at its heart and the colourful, charismatic storytellers who use their words to spin bridges between this world and theirs.” Joanna Morris - Northern Echo

Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2017
Open World
Fri 20 – Tue 31 October

Marking the 70^th anniversary of Edinburgh as a Festival City, SISF goes global and demonstrates how the traditional art of storytelling is more vital than ever in connecting people worldwide, across cultures, places and generations.

Hosted by the storytellers of Scotland, artists from across the globe gather to guide us through the labyrinths of change and weave new narratives for a re-imagined earth.

Twelve days of storytelling events in Edinburgh and beyond, three days of open table discussion around the themes of the Earth Charter. These are critical times for our planet and the SISF invites us all to connect through our differences, acknowledging where we are and where we want to go, together. If not now, when?

Performance, workshops, talks and children’s events radiate out from Scotland’s capital as the best of Scotland’s storytelling talent merge with invited guests from Spain, Central and South America, offering a plethora of dreamscapes and myths celebrating oral traditions and cultural diversity.

Great stories well told have the ability to evoke indelible images in the mind of the listener, offering visitors and locals a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary tales, music and characters that bring both our contemporary and traditional culture to life.

'Storytelling Festival will delight young and old' (Press & Journal)

'A hugely underrated skill, storytelling is undoubtedly history brought to life and so much more' (Must Visit Scotland)

‘A tremendous celebration of Scottish storytelling and of the world wide connections which storytelling can bring’ (Liz Weir – Storyteller)

Audience Comments:

‘The workshops were well organised and very informative. Loved the storytelling performances – a window into different traditions and contemporary issues.’

‘A warm, friendly, invigorating experience, just perfect for autumn evenings.’

‘Totally different performances and so much talent, all moved me to laugh and cry.’

‘Amazing storytelling at its best - engaging, moving, emotional and funny. More please!’

View Storytelling Festival Videos

Download the 2016 Festival Programme