Singapore, 21 July 2008 –The Singapore International Story Telling Festival is back this year with something new and more to offer.
Co-organised by the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) and The Arts House, the two-week story telling festival will take place at various venues from 25 August to 9 September. With a diverse range of workshops and seminars, the festival is targeted at parents, educators, librarians, social workers, performing artists, writers, managers and even corporations who are keen to use story telling to be more efficient and innovative in different environments and situations. The programmes have been designed to focus on the role and application of storytelling in various disciplines such as education, management, social and personal development.
In addition, participants will see a new addition to the Festival line-up this year with the inaugural Asian Digital Storytelling Congress. Themed “Beyond Words”, the new component will take place at the NationalLibraryBuilding and Toa Payoh Community Library from 2 to 7 September. Combining traditional storytelling techniques and multimedia tools, digital storytelling is increasingly being used in corporations and institutions. Juxtaposing images, sound, music and voice to deliver stories digitally can engage the learner and further develop their skills in research, writing, technology, communication and problem-solving.
Said Mr. R. Ramachandran, Executive Director of NBDCS, "This year, we are introducing digital storytelling as part of our Festival. Contrary to many people’s beliefs, digital storytelling is not just the latest technical fad. It builds on the rich, ancient tradition of oral storytelling by combining the narrative story with a palette of technical tools (sound, visuals and voices). Digital storytelling will provide all an opportunity to learn not only multimedia skills, but also the art and craft of telling a powerful story with new media to enhance both their personal and professional lives."
Mr Colin Goh, General Manager of The Arts House said, “With the Asian Digital Storytelling Congress added as a new component, the Singapore International Story Telling Festival is definitely up-to-date with the latest trend in storytelling. We look forward to creating and developing a new wave of audiences and participants who will benefit from this. With digital storytelling, the traditional form of art will be brought to a new height in Singapore.”
Singapore International Story Telling Festival 2008 will feature a series of storytelling seminars in English, Mandarin and Tamil; the Asian Congress of Storytellers, an intensive two-day conference of keynote addresses, concurrent workshops and sessions, story time and forum; a free, public talk; and two major performances at The Arts House – International Storytellers Showcase (29 & 30 August) and Asian Storytellers Concert (4 & 5 September). The Official Opening ceremony of the Festival will be held on front lawn of The Arts House on Thursday 28 August, and the Guest-of-Honour is Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office.
Key storytellers include husband-and-wife Bobby and Sherry Norfolk, co-authors of The Moral of the Story: Folktales for Character Development and published five of the popular Anansi Ghanaian folk tales; Nury Vittachi, Hong Kong’s bestselling English novelist and columnist, and played a key role in founding the Asia Literary Review, Hong Kong International Literary Festival, Man Asia Literary Prize; Eth-Noh-Tec, the American performing duo Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo and Nancy Wang who creates an exciting blend of storytelling and kinetic theatre; Kevin Cordi, the first-ever storyteller to serve a residency under a US university after being appointed as the Storyteller-in-Residence at the Ohio State University for one academic year; and Denise Atchley, the co-founder and Director of the Digital Storytelling Festival.
The Singapore International Story Telling Festival is co-organised by the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) and The Arts House, and is sponsored by Lee Foundation; the National Arts Council (NAC); Singapore Press Holdings Foundation; Tan Chin Tuan Foundation; and Reader’s Digest. The festival is also supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE); Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS); Media Development Authority (MDA); National Library Board (NLB); National Heritage Board (NHB); Speak Good English Movement; Nexus; People’s Association (PA); Society for Reading and Literacy; Bang Public Relations; Redifussion; Storytelling Association (Singapore); Pat’s Schoolhouse; Angsana Books; and Flame of the Forest.
For more information and the latest updates on the Festival line-up, please log on to www.bookcouncil.sg/sisf.
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Registration & Ticketing Information
SEMINARS & CONGRESS
Visit www.bookcouncil.sg/sisf, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 6848 8290 for the detail and cost of the respective programmes.
Group Discounts
Enjoy additional savings for group registration of 3 persons or more. Applicable for registration and payment done at the same time, or of the same billing source.
PERFORMANCES
Please contact The Arts House Box Office at:
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
T: +65 6332 6919 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 10am 8pm
Saturdays: 11am - 8pm
Sundays: Closed*
*For Sunday events, Box Office will open 1 hour before show time till 30 minutes after show starts.
A ticketing fee of $2 is applicable for all tickets.
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National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS)
National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) is a non-profit umbrella body inaugurated in 1969 to promote storytelling, reading, writing and publishing, with a current objective to establish and develop Singapore as the Asian centre for publishing and the literary arts. NBDCS brings Singapore book industry and literary community together through industry events, courses, seminars, conferences and author lectures. NBDCS has been organising the prestigious Singapore Literature Prizesince 1990 and also manages the Centre for Literary Arts and Publishing and Singapore Writers Centre. www.bookcouncil.sg
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The Arts House
Occupying the 181-year old building which was the former Parliament House and Singapore’s first Court House, The Arts House was officially opened in March 2004 as the only gazetted government building designated as a multidisciplinary arts centre. The Arts Househas since beenoffering itsvisitors a broad spectrum of activities ranging from contemporary arts & entertainment events to lifestyle options, and at the same time playing an active role in the development of the Singapore arts & creative scene with its strong intent in supporting and promoting Singapore artists and their artworks through its various initiatives and platforms in Singapore as well as internationally. The Arts House is managed by The Old Parliament House Limited, a not-for-profit full-service arts management company limited by guarantee. For further information, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg
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For media queries, please contact:
Amira Osman
Executive, Arts & Communications
The Arts House (Managed by The Old Parliament House Limited)
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
Tel: (65) 6332 6915
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
See Ling Ling
Asst Director, Arts & Communications
The Arts House (Managed by The Old Parliament House Limited)
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
Tel: (65) 6332 6903
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.