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A new project is aiming to bring people together through the power of storytelling with communities from across the north and south collaborating on the exciting new initiative funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) as part of their Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP).
“Border Talk” is a creative partnership between Storytellers of Ireland (SOI) and the Armstrong Storytelling Trust using the ancient oral tradition of storytelling to work with communities, in the border region as part of peace and reconciliation outreach.
Throughout the year-long programme, both organisations will work with communities in Monaghan, Armagh, Cavan and Fermanagh, promoting and using the ancient art of oral storytelling with the aim of building connections and forging new relationships.
With funding of over €90,000 allocated, the project will focus on cross-border engagement and bring people together with the opportunity to participate in four different strands of the project including training in the art of storytelling, public events and the creation of an audio archive of stories.
The final and fourth element will comprise of a showcase event, hosted by Cavan County Museum with a day-long celebration of storytelling.
Both the Storytellers of Ireland (SOI) and the Armstrong Storytelling Trust (AST) have a long and proud tradition of working with communities, and a deep commitment to bringing people together with creativity and shared experiences central to building long-lasting positive relationships with communities on both sides of the border.
Paddy Harte, IFI Chair commented on the launch of the project “This project goes to the heart of how peacebuilding and reconciliation comes about, and that is through the power of talking and sharing. “Border Talk” is a very exciting project for the participating communities and offers tremendous scope and opportunity to forge real and impactful long-lasting relationships which are built on shared creativity and a new understanding created through dialogue.
“We are particularly pleased to harness the incredible creative energies of both the Storytellers of Ireland and the Armstrong Storytelling Trust, organisations who have a long and proud tradition and a deep commitment to cross-border community building work.
“The project is an ideal fit for the IFI Communities in Partnership Programme, epitomising the values and placing community at the heart of all activities. While we recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we must not rest on our laurels. We must continue to seize the initiative and work hard to build positive and long-last relationships between communities, appealing in turn to those who are of an older generation and carry the burden of the past and the younger generation who have an opportunity to create a brand-new chapter and to engage in a different way.”
Aoife Demel, Chairperson, Storytellers of Ireland said "Storytellers of Ireland / Aos Scéal Éireann, from the outset, has been an all-island organisation. Storytelling connects people and stories transcend borders.
“The support of the International Fund for Ireland is a significant acknowledgement of and investment in Ireland's ongoing story for which we are tremendously grateful. This funding will allow, for the first time, a comprehensive series of events and training courses organised by a professional administrator and artist in this very important area of the island.”
Liz Weir MBE, Armstrong Storytelling Trust said “The Armstrong Storytelling Trust is delighted to partner with Storytellers of Ireland on this exciting cross-border project. Our core aim is to take storytelling into communities and this project will promote the artform by initiating new public storytelling events and by training more people to tell stories.”
Border Talk comprises of four main strands: Teaching tales with the delivery of training in the art of storytelling over a five-week cross community course and culminating with participants performing at a Yarnspinning event and local festival.
Telling Tales will include a series of public events across the participating counties with attendees and participants invited to share their stories. The final parts of the programme include Tomorrow’s Tales, with audio recordings from 12 events throughout the year and the programme will conclude with the Border Talk Finale Event in Cavan County Museum with a celebration of storytelling.
Get Involved
If you're from County Armagh or County Monaghan and would like to gain accreditation in oral storytelling you can take part in the course below:
The course will involve 7 sessions delivered in a hybrid fashion; in person and online as set out below;
In person Session - Sat 9th September - 10.00-12.30 & 14.00-16.00 - Bluebell Lane, Mullaghbane
Online Session - Tues 12th, 19th, 26th September & 3rd, 10th October - 19.00-21.30;
In person - Sat 14th October - 10.00-12.30 & 14.00-16.00 - To be confirmed
Essential Criteria
1. Resident in County Armagh or County Monaghan;
2. Availability to attend all sessions as listed above or at a minimum 6 out of 7 sessions and Day 1 & 2 are essential;
3. Agreement to be video recorded as part of the group for assessment purposes;
4. Commitment to participating in at least 2 local Yarnspinning sessions.
Screening Process
Places are limited and we may therefore need to apply a screening process. In the event of needing to allocate on this basis, participants will be assessed against the answers to the following questions within the EoI form.
Deadline
If you are interested in taking part in this course, please complete the EoI form at Border Talk Project by Friday 18th August 2023
For further information on Border Talk please contact Colleen Savage, Project Coordinator on bordertalkproject@gmail.com
