Storytelling project seeks folklore stories from around the world

A new project is setting out to share the stories of Cape Bretoners that are sometimes not widely heard, mainly those who were born outside of Canada.

“One Upon an Island: Traditional Tales from new Cape Bretoners” is a storytelling project that invites new Cape Bretoners to submit traditional stories from around the world. Anyone who lives in Cape Breton and was born outside of Canada is invited to participate regardless of their immigration status or how long they’ve lived in Cape Breton.

“Cape Breton’s diverse cultures play an important role in driving our communities and economy forward,” said Carla Arsenault, chief operating officer with Cape Breton Partnership, in a press release.

The project is being co-ordinated by the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP), an initiative through the Cape Breton Partnership, and is supported by partners at Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, the Cape Breton Regional Library and the Eastern Counties Regional Library.

“The collected stories will be complied into a collection of world folklore, showcasing the diversity of storytelling traditions that exist in Cape Breton,” said CBLIP co-ordinator Kailea Pedley in a press release. “The hope is for this collection to province newcomers with an avenue for sharing their cultures via story and provide the wider Cape Breton community an opportunity to better understand the cultural diversity on our Island.”

The complete collection will be unveiled during the 2019 Isle of Story Festival and will be available online, in libraries and other locations throughout Cape Breton.

Submission stories could include folklore, myths, legends and traditional children’s stories.

Participants can submit their stories online and find more information at www.onceuponcapebreton.com.