Local students are in for a cultural treat as schools in the vicinity of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area prepare for a visit from a group of accomplished storytellers next week, intended to spark creativity and foster a sense of communal heritage before the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival, as reported by the National Park Service's announcement.
The educational initiative will involve more than 30 schools, reaching over 13,000 students through stories woven by the likes of Karin Amano, Norm Brecke, Tamara Green, and Anne Rutherford, these artists will seize upon various tales and methods infusing tradition with innovation in an effort to cultivate appreciation for the robust art of storytelling, and Big South Fork promises to enhance the experience with traditional arts and crafts activities, also announcing craft classes throughout these visits, showcasing the enduring tie between the art of storytelling and the history of human communication, as detailed by the National Park Service.
According to the aforementioned National Park Service release, storytelling has its roots in the oral tradition, often supplemented by physical expression as a vital aspect of entertainment, education, and the inculcation of moral values across diverse cultures.
The Haunting in the Hills festival will take place on September 20 at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. It wraps up a week of school visits by storytellers, bringing their stories to the whole community. The event aims to carry the excitement from the classroom to the festival, celebrating how storytelling connects people across time and place, as per the National Park Service.
