Welsh Storytelling or Storytellers?
Welsh Storytelling or Storytellers? from Philip Anderson
Should the proposed Welsh Forum be a simple network for Welsh storytellers or a
means of promoting Storytelling in Wales, and if the latter how would it avoid
becoming a local copy of, or rival to, the SfS?
My suggestion is to create a Welsh Storytelling Special Interest Group (SIG) within the SfS; as part of the SfS, this would support the general aims of the SfS to promote Storytelling, but from a Welsh angle. In particular it could provide:
• A forum for discussing issues specific to Wales, e.g.
o Funding sources
o The Welsh curriculum
o Welsh-language and bilingual Storytelling and publicity
• Advice & information to the SfS nationally on such issues, to avoid
Anglo-centric policies; possibly translation of publicity material
or at least advice on getting it;
• A point of contact for any SfS member (or enquirer?) interested in Welsh
stories, able to assist with:
o Advice on pronouncing Welsh names
o Advice on the cultural background generally
• A possible starting point for organizing a future Gathering in Wales
This would be formally distinct from the Welsh Storytellers Forum, which would be
primarily a networking forum for storytellers based/working in Wales and need not be
limited to members of the SfS; in practice, I'm sure there would be a large overlap in
the people involved, and probably in issues discussed.
How would each operate? I'd see the SIG being more of an online (and discussion
paper) community, and the forum holding annual or semi-annual get-togethers and a
regular newsletter (preferably electronic, but with a paper alternative?).
Philip Anderson
