The group of professional storytellers who are creating the oral storytelling show of the European Network of Storytelling Cities and Places (ENSST) and the partners of this European project have been welcome this morning by the Mayoress, Mª Jesús Merino.
At the reception, the mayoress expressed her joy that Sigüenza is the meeting point for this group of storytelling professionals from France, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal and Spain, with the Seminar of Children's and Young People's Literature being the leader of this European project. In addition, Merino wanted to point out the relevance that cultural events such as the Creative Residency of the ENSST Network and the meetings of the partners of this project contribute to Sigüenza as a cultural hub.
The director of the oral narration show, French of Spanish origin, Pepito Matéo, expressed his gratitude for the welcome offered by the mayoress and the hospitality of the medieval city where they are working very comfortably and with many facilities. Matéo underlined at the reception in the town hall "the importance of being able to be together storytellers from different European countries because we share the same imaginary. Stories are an expression of life, mysteries, death...we mix sensibilities to build bridges between us".
The mayoress was interested in the activities that are being developed through this European project funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The coordinator of this project, Blanca Calvo, explained the work being done to create a European network of storytelling places and cities, the design of routes related to storytelling, a database on oral storytelling in Europe and the networking of cities in this project, which Sigüenza could join.
During their stay in the medieval town, the storytellers, in the mornings and afternoons, are preparing in the cultural centre El Pósito the oral narration show "Il était una vez jeden utopická viaggio a történeteken keresztül em seis línguas" (Once upon a time there was a utopian journey through stories in six languages), which will be previewed in the city of the Doncel on 8th June and premiered during the celebration of the Story Marathon in Guadalajara on 11th June in the Teatro Moderno.
They will also hold meetings, with storytelling as a linking point, with students from Martín Vázquez de Arce secondary school and with residents of ACCEM's Refugee Reception Centre.
On the other hand, the partners of the European Network of Storytelling Cities and Places (ENSST) project, led by the SLIJ, will hold several working meetings on 9th June in Sigüenza to discuss the documents for the creation of the network and the lines of work of the project, as well as its evolution.
This weekend, storytellers and partners will be able to get to know the medieval city and the landscapes of the Salado river. At this point, the mayoress explained to them the work they are carrying out to have the 'Sweet and Salty Landscape of Sigüenza and Atienza' recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
On the afternoon of 9th June, all the members of these working groups will travel to Guadalajara to continue their programme and attend the opening of the 31st edition of the Guadalajara Storytelling Marathon.
