National Storytelling Festival

National Storytelling Festival. Held annually in the historic town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, it is widely recognized as the premier event that catalyzed the modern storytelling revival in the United States. Founded in 1973 by broadcaster Jimmy Neil Smith, the festival transforms the town into a vibrant hub for the ancient art of oral narrative, attracting thousands of visitors each October. It is produced by the International Storytelling Center and has inspired countless similar events across North America and around the world.

History

The festival's origins trace to 1973, when Jimmy Neil Smith, inspired by a caravan storyteller named Jerry Clower, organized the first gathering on the courthouse lawn in Jonesborough, Tennessee. This small event, part of a project for the local National Council of Teachers of English affiliate, quickly grew in reputation. Key early supporters and performers included renowned storytellers like Ray Hicks, known for Appalachian Jack tales, and Kathryn Windham, a celebrated writer from Alabama. The festival's success led to the founding of the National Association for the Preservation and Perpetuation of Storytelling (NAPPS), which later evolved into the International Storytelling Center. Its growth paralleled and fueled a broader cultural movement, often cited alongside the American folk music revival and the work of institutions like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Festival events and format

The festival is held the first full weekend of October, featuring continuous storytelling sessions from morning until late evening across multiple large tents erected throughout downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee. The primary format involves featured tellers performing on stages in these tents, with sessions dedicated to specific genres such as ghost stories, personal narrative, historical fiction, and world folklore. A signature event is the "Ghost Story" session held on Saturday night, a tradition that harks back to Appalachian folklore. Other events include the "Storytelling Exchange," swaps in local venues, and special concerts. The intimate, tent-based setting, with audiences seated on bales of hay, creates a distinctive, communal atmosphere focused purely on the spoken word, devoid of theatrical props or microphones for many tellers.

Featured storytellers and performances

The festival has showcased a legendary roster of storytellers who have become icons of the art form. Early headliners included Ray Hicks, Jackie Torrence, and Donald Davis, whose Southern narratives defined the festival's voice. Over decades, it has featured diverse artists like David Holt, a Grammy Award-winning folk musician, Bil Lepp, a champion liar's contest teller, and Carmen Agra Deedy, known for her Cuban American stories. International tellers, such as Eddie Lenihan from Ireland and Beatrice Bowles sharing Native American tales, have broadened its scope. Performances often include recitations of classic epics like the Odyssey, interpretations of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, and original works that engage with contemporary issues, cementing the tellers' status as master oral historians and entertainers.

Cultural impact and significance

The festival is credited with launching the contemporary storytelling revival, transforming a local tradition into a recognized national and international performance art. It provided the model and impetus for the creation of hundreds of local storytelling events, guilds, and festivals across the United States, such as the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Utah and the Northlands Storytelling Network conference. Its influence extends into education, with many tellers working in schools, and into academia, spurring scholarly work documented in publications like the Journal of American Folklore. The festival has also impacted tourism and cultural heritage preservation in Appalachia, highlighting the region's oral traditions. It stands as a testament to the power of narrative in community building and cultural exchange, recognized by institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts.

Organization and location

The festival is organized and produced by the International Storytelling Center (ISC), which is headquartered in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The ISC operates from the historic Chester Inn and manages a year-round schedule of events and the Tellabration! global storytelling night. The festival's location in Jonesborough, the oldest town in Tennessee, is integral to its identity, with stages set near landmarks like the Washington County Courthouse. Logistics involve a large volunteer corps, partnerships with local businesses and the Jonesborough Visitors Bureau, and the temporary transformation of the town's historic district. The ISC's broader mission, supported by the festival, includes educational outreach, the National Storytelling Network, and the preservation of storytelling as a global art form.

Category:Storytelling Category:Festivals in Tennessee Category:Recurring events established in 1973 Category:Jonesborough, Tennessee