The 3rd edition of the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival will take place from January 19 to 26, with the participation of nearly 100 storytellers from 33 countries.
Organized by the World Storytelling Cafe and the Union of Storytellers for Cultural Innovation and the Art of Storytelling, the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival is back for its 3rd edition from January 19 to 26. “This event aims to celebrate this timeless art, pay homage to the city’s rich narrative heritage and highlight the role of storytelling as a universal bridge connecting cultures, traditions and generations,” say the organizers.
Placed under the theme “Bahja”, a concept embodying the sensory, cultural and spiritual essence of Marrakech, which translates into an attitude, a state of mind and joyful sharing, this cultural and artistic event will attempt to break the world record Guinness for the longest continuous storytelling session (120 hours of stories) on the emblematic Jemaa El Fna square. Thus, a Halqa of storytellers will bring together in this square, from January 20, no less than 100 storytellers weaving stories from around the world, thus creating an uninterrupted narrative tapestry for five days.
The 3rd edition emphasizes the inclusion of storytellers, promoting peace through storytelling, and promoting Moroccan culture on the world stage. Likewise, workshops will be organized for the benefit of tourist guides in the Marrakech-Safi region, with a view to improving their ability to use storytelling to enrich historical and cultural stories for visitors, thus contributing to the growth of tourism. cultural.
The program of this festival also includes interactive workshops, led by international and Moroccan storytellers for the benefit of students and young artists, shows and performances by master storytellers and emerging voices celebrating the diversity of global stories and emphasizing the shared human experience, in addition to conferences addressing themes such as the integration of storytelling into mental health practices, the therapeutic role of mythology, and the future of storytelling in education.
The festival will be preceded on January 15 and 16, in Safi and Essaouira by activities that will offer workshops, panels and performances, thus preparing the ground for the main event in Marrakech. The closing ceremony of this artistic event will reward the “Golden Storyteller” of 2025.
