“Many Voices Tell A Story!” The 45th Annual Toronto International Storytelling Festival

BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been 45 years since the Toronto International Storytelling Festival has promoted the power of storytelling in the Greater Toronto Area. The theme for the 2024 festival was “Many Voices Tell A Story” and from Toronto to Mississauga to Oshawa there were several live performances and events held. The promotional material describes the festival as one that “Brings together phenomenal international and local performers, Toronto-based storytelling groups, and creative initiatives, and storytellers performing in a variety of community supported venues to reach out to new and seasoned listeners.”

One of the events that celebrated the power of stories took place at the Maria A. Schuka Library, located near Eglinton Ave West and Dufferin St. It was titled, “Stories of Little Jamaica” and it celebrated the legacy and memories of the iconic Jamaican storyteller Miss Lou. It took place on Wednesday, June 12^th, 2024, and featured Jan Blake (international, award winning storyteller from Britain), Kesha Christie (local storyteller from Toronto) and Dr. Rita Cox (renowned storyteller and Canadian icon).

On Thursday, June 13^th, 2024, there was an event titled “Tales from the Calabash Bowl” at the North York Central Library. It was held as a partnership with the Toronto Public Library and featured TuuP who hailed from the United Kingdom.

On Friday, June 14^th, 2024, there was the event titled, “Many Voices Tell A Story: A Pre-Club Carib 50^th Anniversary Fiesta Week Concert,” which was held at the Caribbean Cultural Centre in Oshawa. It was a joint partnership between Sassy Seniors and Club Carib Oshawa. It featured the storytellers Jan Blake, TuuP, Juduth James, and Negus Medhin.