What is FEST?

The Federation of European Storytelling (FEST) is an international network of organisations, networks and associations active in the field of oral storytelling.
FEST has 87 members in 25 different countries, who represent national, regional or local organisations like professional storytelling associations, festival organisers, storytelling training centres, local authorities, academies, colleges, universities, cultural centres or libraries, all with a special interest in oral storytelling.

FEST aims to empower the world of oral storytelling through sharing, learning and relationship building.

FEST wants to enhance the visibility and the recognition of oral storytelling as a performing art.

FEST focuses on professional development of the oral storyteller as a performing artist and as a professional provider of oral storytelling in other (cultural) sectors.

FEST wants to raise the European dimension of oral storytelling events and transnational cooperation in the sector as well as build a 'culture for storytelling' (audience development).

FEST supports the mobility of oral storytellers and organisation staff through conferences, training activities, festivals and mentorship.

FEST supports the oral storytelling sector by:

  • Providing data, research, good practice examples,…
  • Offering effective international communication, networking and sharing structures
  • Looking for synergy with other art forms, link up with other networks and sectors (education, heritage, tourism, social sector …)
  • Creating an international community and providing a link between European and non-European storytelling organisations
  • Act, in the long term, as an advisory structure in the field of storytelling for the European Institutions as well as UNESCO, and other relevant bodies. 

FEST is not about promoting individual storytellers.

Join 75 FEST members over 24 countries     BECOME A FEST MEMBER NOW

FEST Team

  • Diana Garlytska
    Representative conference host organisation 2022 Organisation: University of Applied Social Sciences SMK
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  • Pauline Godson Oyoo
    Advisor R&D – training in the field of applied storytelling Organisation: Lighthouse Academy (ES
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  • Paola Balbi
    Advisor R&D – training in the field of performance storytelling Organisation: Compagnia di Storytelling Raccontamiunastoria
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  • Shona Cowie
    Representative Young Storytellers Organisation: The Village Storytelling Centre
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  • Maria Junghans
    Advisor strategic marketing and communications Organisation: Fortællere i Danmark
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  • Agnieszka Aysen Kaim
    EC member & contact for the FEST ambassador project Poland Period: 2019 Organisation: Grupa Studnia O. Opowiadacze Stowarzyszenia
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