What is Storytelling?

What is Storytelling?

© U. Breinl

Head cinema. Sensual, immediate, together.

First of all: we do not read aloud. The magic of free oral storytelling lies in the holistic performance of the storyteller, who makes direct contact with the audience through language, body, heart and wit. Storytelling is pure presence and creates community. The renaissance of the art of storytelling worldwide is proof that people are longing for this lively immediacy more than ever before!

© U. Breinl

Narration – short & sweet

Free oral storytelling is not only the oldest, but also the smallest performative art. As a participatory, democratic and transcultural art form, storytelling is gaining political significance today – and with the sensual presence of the storyteller, it forms a counterpoint to technically highly equipped mass events. Narrative art creates community because it connects people from different social and cultural backgrounds.

read more

© U. Breinl

How do we tell?

The art of storytelling unleashes its magic in a simple setting: no props, no stage set are needed. A minimum of light and space is enough. The art of storytelling lies in the eloquent expressiveness with which the storyteller brings out the images of the story in the moment. With her performance, she ignites the audience’s imagination. The connection between the storyteller and the audience creates a magic that we describe as “dreaming awake together”.

read more

© U. Breinl

What do we tell?

We tell fairy tales, farces, myths and legends – but also literary and biographical stories we have invented ourselves. Our material ranges from the oldest epics of world literature to a self-imagined vision of the future, from intricate dramaturgies of long stories and full-length programmes to short, pointed jokes on an open evening.

In doing so, the storytellers of the association pursue a transcultural approach and deliberately choose material with a contemporary connection.

read more

© U. Breinl

What is the effect of storytelling?

Storytelling exhilarates, reminds, engages, delights, relieves, encourages, encourages and relaxes!

Read here in detail how storytelling enhances imagination and language, is transcultural and provides both community and meaning.

read more

© U. Breinl

Our bibliography on narrative art

Scientific literature on narrative theory, narrative practice and didactics, on theory and interpretation of fairy tales and myths, plus reference works and field reports. A selection for all those who want to know exactly.
read more

Essays and lectures on narrative art by Prof. Kristin Wardetzky in full text for downloading