“A world without stories would be a world without collective memories, without shared dreams and shared hopes. Beyond the Border is all about helping stories to happen.” BBC Broadcaster and author, John Humphrys “
Held every two years, Beyond the Border Wales International Storytelling Festival takes place at St Donats Castle, in the Vale of Glamorgan. A three-day festival of stories and music from Wales and across the world. 2014 saw the event celebrate it's 21st birthday. It returns once again in 2016 between 1-3 July.
Immerse yourself in blacksmith stories, Indian myths, ancient Greek legend, Welsh tales and much much more… Beyond the Border, Wales’ International Storytelling Festival, returns this summer with a magnificent three days of stories and music from Wales and across the world.
Set on the majestic Glamorganshire coast, in a fairy tale castle, Beyond the Border is a feast of storytelling, poetry, music, singing, theatre, circus, films and much more.
The 2016 festival will offer more stories and more experiences than ever before,” says Artistic Director, David Ambrose. "Epic stories from India, blacksmith tales from around the world, Celtic myth from Wales and Ireland, ancient Greek legends… from transformation tales for adults to fairy tales for kids, there really is something for everyone."
In addition to a strong-up of performers from around the world, Beyond the Border offers a festival experience which is both vibrant and chilled at the same time. With world food, arts & crafts stalls, an acclaimed real ale bar, workshops & competitions, open mic stages for budding tellers, a brand-new kidzone with stories and activities just for children, street theatre, story walks and more, there is plenty to do and see, in and out of the nine beautiful venues.
When? 1-3 July 2016
Where? St Donats Castle, on the Vale of Glamorgan Coast, nr Cardiff. Just 1/2 an hour from the M4.
Who? in 2016 - Devdutt Pattanaik, Dovie Thompson, Mats Rehnman, Peter Chand, Clare Murphy, Tim Ralphs, Jo Blake Cave, Hugh Lupton, Daniel Morden, Sally Pomme Clayton, Robin Williamson, Michael Harvey, Cath Little, Guto Dafis and many more
Tickets? Terrific early bird tickets available before April 1st, 2016
Website? www.beyondtheborder.com
Twitter? @BTBStorytelling
Facebook? Beyond the Border
Festival Director? 2016 - David Ambrose
Northern Lights Music and Stories from Scandinavia. Mats Rehnman and the Methera Quartet performing Strange Lovers From Finland, Kristiina Ilmonen, Anna-Kaisa Liedes, Timo Väänänen plus Nick Hennessey performing The Kalevala.
Dylan Thomas at 100. Celebrating the Centenary of the great Welsh poet (b.1914). The name comes from Dylan’s Poem In October. Includes Robin Williamson The Seed At Zero which explores Thomas’s relationship to the “Bardic tradition” of visionary Welsh poets.
Dau Dafod Stories in the two languages of Wales, with leading Welsh storytellers Michael Harvey and Guto Dafis.
Myths of Celtic Britain Stories from The Mabinogion. Includes Daniel Morden, Oli Wilson Dickson with composer and guitarist Dylan Fowler performing Tree of Leaf & Flame (2013 Winner of Tir na n-Og English Book Award).
Nicole & Martin Circus theatre family from Switzerland.
In Words and Pictures Stories told with Comic Books, Cartoons, Live drawing, Printmaking, Magic lantern slides… Artists include: Spice Arthur (Japan); Peter Stevenson (Wales) and Megan Lloyd with The Original Print Place / Y Lle Print Gwreiddiol (Wales).
To End All Wars Memories of WW1 through story and song Featured artists include Hugh Lupton, Nick Hennessey, John Dipper, Simon Heywood, Helen Chadwick and more…
Story without Speech Telling stories for the Deaf with Mark MacQueen (Scotland) and Megan Lloyd (Wales).
Plus - Travellers Tales Kamishibai Tellers From Japan -Sufi Voices - Stories & Music from Africa & The Caribbean - Magic Lantern Shows -True Stories and Your Chance to Tell…
Past Festivals
2012 Festival included new commissions from 'The Company of Storytellers' and from Esyllt Harker.
Celebrating 200 years of Grimm´s Fairy Tales.
Journeying along the Silk Road to the delights of Persia and Central Asia
Exploring the Myths and Legends of Celtic Britain
Following Tales to Sustain and Stories for Health
Honouring the 100th anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic
2012 Programme
Some Past Acts Appearing
If you are involved in this festival you can update or change details via the organisers page . Authors can list here.