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ST. PAUL: Festival of Nations (Public Invited)

  • RiverCentre 175 West Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul, MN, 55102 United States (map)

Story Arts of Minnesota is providing live storytelling at the heart of the Festival’s Marketplace Bazaar. A diverse group of tellers will share tales from their own or their ancestors’ homelands.

Grab a bite to eat at the Festival’s amazing food court, enjoy dance and music, watch artisans practice their crafts… and then head for the Storytelling Stage for lots more entertainment!

Schedule for Saturday, May 4

10:00-10:30 am  Mary Dubbs, a slightly bawdy children’s librarian, tells some partially true and mostly totally false stories from Switzerland and Germany.

11:00-11:30 am  Phuoc Thi Minh Tran, a librarian and award-winning author, brings some favorite Vietnamese folktales alive. https://phuocthiminhtran.wordpress.com/

12:00-12:30 pm  Sarah Nameera and Kayanja Jaffer Ssalabwa, young visitors from Africa, will share traditional tales from their native country of Uganda.

1:00-1:30 pm   Richard Rousseau is a master of creating and performing stories. This version of The Gray Wolf and the Tsarevich Ivan was crafted at the request of the Russian Museum in Minneapolis. www.talesfromanotherstage.org

2:00-2:30 pm   Sachi Venkatakrishman shares The Lost Anklet - Presenting Tamil ancient Indian literature called "Silappathikaram" through the folklore storytelling art form called "Therukkoothu or Street Play." The artform represents some music, dancing and storytelling to attract and enable the audience to enjoy the essence of the theme or story.

3:00-3:30 pm  Noel LaBine shares stories of the French Canadians in Minnesota. Noel has a rich variety of experiences and skills and uses story to help people and communities realize their potential as a spirited part of the global community.    https://noellabine.blogspot.com/

4:00-4:30 pm  Sarah Nameera and Kayanja Jaffer Ssalabwa, young visitors from Africa, will share traditional tales from their native country of Uganda.

5:00-5:30 pm  Katie Knutson, professional storyteller and teaching artist, shares some interactive stories from Norway. Why does Bear have a stumpy tail? Why are the servants dressing up a horse for a wedding? www.ripplingstories.com.

7:00-8:30 pm  Storytelling Concert

Reviving Bokator, a live performance by the rising Bokator star Sam Tharoth who flew in from Cambodia along with local musicians playing traditional Khmer music. This ancient fighting style of Cambodia and the once strong Khmer Empire is an important cultural heritage for Cambodians.

Carol McCormick shares thought-provoking Irish, German, and Czechoslovak tales to tickle your funny bone and grow your wisdom. She has 30+ years of experience telling stories to audiences of all ages.  www.carolmccormick.net

Katie Knutson, professional storyteller and teaching artist, shares some interactive stories from Norway. Why does Bear have a Stumpy Tail? Why are the servants dressing up a horse for a wedding? More at www.ripplingstories.com.

Festival tickets: Adults $11-$18, Youth $8-$12.
Full info and link to purchase tickets online: https://www.festivalofnations.com/ticket/