Storytelling "raids" in one of the municipality's schools are one of the experiences during the Storytelling Festival. In the pictures: Lillemor Skogheden, Robert Herrala, Theresa Eriksson, and Malin Åberg."
Over the course of next week, the program includes art exhibits, music, children's shows, and many surprises.
Monica Lindgren is the producer of the festival.
– This festival has survived, grown and developed thanks to the cooperation of many local organizers who ensure that there are programs all over the municipality. We have many people to thank for making this festival so wonderful and well organized.
– Together we will have an intense and surprising week filled with the power of storytelling and the joy of listening. It will range from open rehearsals of Västerbottenteatern's upcoming production 'Jag tänker på kärlek' (I Think of Love) to festival clubs with musical storytelling performances and 'Story Fight Night'," says Malin Åberg, an educator.
"Dear governor, what should we do now?! I'm writing as a concerned villager and citizen." The quote is from Sara Lidman, who would have turned 100 years old this year. On Monday, October 16th, Medlefors Folk High School will celebrate her, including a dinner and readings, in collaboration with the Sara Lidman Society.
There will also be two events in English, "GLENN – the things we don't speak about" at Sara kulturhus, and "Her daughter", a storytelling lunch in Sara kulturhus, with the Lithuanian storyteller Milda Varnuskaitė.
The theme of this year's festival is "In Sara's Footsteps", and her 100th birthday will be celebrated in several ways. There will be a marathon reading of "Hjortronlandet" (The Cloudberry Land), discussions about her witty speeches and the launch of the new book "Levtrådar" (Life Threads).
– We will also highlight other strong women such as Mimmi Helamb, Signe Aurell and Emily Dickinson, says Monica Lindgren.
The storytelling performances are organized by nearly 50 different collaborators throughout the municipality. However, most of the performances by the Nordic Storytelling Center and Västerbotten Theatre are held at Sara Kulturhus. You can also enjoy a variety of drinks with your meal while listening to a good story.
– Our storytelling lunches at Trappscenen are very popular. It's a great way to have lunch and enjoy unique stories at the same time, says Monica Lindgren. @@There are also hidden gems away from the center of Skellefteå. Everything from "Is it hot in here?" ("Is it hot here?") at the Boliden Folkets Hus to "This Is How Life Became" with Gilbert Nyström at Broselsgården in Byske. Schools in the municipality will also experience the festival through performances and spontaneous storytelling.
Byske Library is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and has invited the popular local historian Ulf Lundström to talk about how things were in the past. With a starting point in three place names, he tells the history of Byske.
There are also hidden gems away from the center of Skellefteå. Everything from "Är det hett här?" ("Is it hot here?") at the Boliden Folkets Hus to "Så blev livet" ("This Is How Life Became") with Gilbert Nyström at Broselsgården in Byske. Schools in the municipality will also experience the festival through performances and spontaneous storytelling.
– This is a festival where there is something for children each day. In cooperation with Rädda Barnen (Save the Children), Folkrörelsearkivet (The People's Movement Archive), Skellefteå Museum and Nordiskt Berättarcentrum, an exhibition with texts and pictures created by third grade students at Morö Backe School is being produced, says Lillemor Skogheden, an educator and artistic resource.
– The students have been appointed 'child rights pilots' and their task has been, based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to give their perspective on the differences between being a child today and being a child a hundred years ago, says Theresa Eriksson, an educator and project manager.
'In My Body,' based on Kristian Gidlund's blog, will be featured at the Nordanå Theater on Friday, October 20, during the Storytelling Festival 2023.
During the festival, the project "Storytelling Power" will also take place. This year it is aimed at people working in the world of education, and they have been invited to share their own experiences with the theme "STOP!
– We hear so many stories and opinions about school and the school world, but rarely from those who actually work there. I believe that this program can provide many 'aha' moments, says Skogheden.
Sara kulturhus is the center of the festival. But in the spirit of the festival, the storytelling will resonate throughout the municipality, because the storytelling power of the region is strong.
– We have a wide range of programs with events for everyone. Our storytelling festival is based on personal stories. It tends to be pretty powerful. Or funny. Or dramatic. Just something for everyone, Malin Åberg concludes with a broad smile.