multifaithstoryteller

Storytellers through the millennia have always had the ability to build bridges of understanding, transmit values, and inspire all ages.

Goals     

• To model interfaith and cultural co-operation to elementary age school children in an educational setting;
• To present a human face for various faiths, in order to combat prejudice and build bridges of understanding;
• To encourage children to feel confident with their religious and cultural backgrounds and free to explore and express this part of their identities;
• To use stories illustrating shared cross-cultural values to demonstrate the universality of the values and virtues underlying each faith tradition.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

The Multifaith Storytelling Project - Victoria, B.C.

Traditional stories touch hearts, open minds and create curiosity. The tales are from six traditions: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Bahá’í, Hindu, and Buddhist.

Our storytellers, belonging to or coached by the Victoria Storytellers Guild, are accomplished in the art of communicating the unity of virtues & the diversity of culture.

This project allows them to share their faiths and cultural identities with each other and with their young audiences.

 TRUE “VIRTUE-OSOS”`

Just as the physical world has no boundary lines, children have no innate prejudices. Education about other cultures and faiths allows children to develop a sense of openness and curiosity.

Storytellers from six world faiths are available to visit local elementary schools during the school year. Introductory and follow-up materials are also available to teachers.

 “Story is our best hope for flying over the chasms that separate individuals, race, genders, ages, cultures, classes and through the myriad other differences …”   

-The Healing Power of Stories

 by Daniel Taylor

WITH COMMON VALUES AS THEMES

Storytellers from diverse faiths will present wonderfully crafted and meaningful stories that overlap and intersect in ways that illustrate the commonalities of our spiritual heritage, and create bonds of understanding between the storytellers and listeners.

The format envisioned includes two 45-minute sessions per school. At each session, a short introduction leads to stories from three faith traditions, all speaking about the same universal values or virtues.  A question and answer period concludes the session.

Classroom or larger settings such as school libraries would provide seating for anywhere up to 60 students per session.