Date
Thursday
Mar
20

March 20

World Storytelling Day

Share your best stories with family and friends to celebrate World Storytelling Day - join us for a day of creativity, laughter, and fun!

Yearly Date
March 20
Type
Day

Introduction

Mark your calendar for World Storytelling Day on March 20th, a day dedicated to the power of stories! For centuries, people have used storytelling as a way to connect with one another and share their experiences. Stories can be about anything—from personal anecdotes to fantastical tales of faraway lands. They can evoke emotions like laughter or tears, inspire imagination, and transport us to different times and places. So don’t miss out on this special day where we celebrate the timeless art of storytelling!

World Storytelling Day Timeline

1993
Inception of Storytelling Day
Storytellers in Sweden create All Storytellers Day, precursor to the worldwide celebration.
2002
Trivia Becomes Global
The day evolves into World Storytelling Day, extending beyond Sweden to global participation.
2004
Introduction of Themes
Organizers begin to attribute unique themes to the celebration, guiding story creation.
2010
Digital Participation Rises
The use of social media and digital platforms increases, diversifying participation.
2020
Virtual Storytelling Prevails
Amid global pandemic, many storytelling events move online enhancing worldwide engagement.

How to Celebrate World Storytelling Day

1

Tell your own story

Gather your friends, family, and neighbors together to share your own story. Whether it is a personal story, a family history, a legend, or a folktale, sharing your personal narrative is a great way to celebrate World Storytelling Day.

2

Attend an event

Check out local events in your area. Many cities and towns host storytelling events in honor of World Storytelling Day. You may even find professional storytellers performing at libraries, bookstores, and museums.

3

Write a story

Sit down and write your own story. Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, writing a story is a great way to express yourself and have fun. You can even share the story with your friends and family.

4

Read a classic

Pick up one of the classics of storytelling such as Homer's Odyssey or The Iliad, Norse myths or Native American legends. Immerse yourself in the words of these epic stories.

5

Host a storytelling party

Invite some friends over for an evening of storytelling. Have everyone bring their favorite tale and each person can take turns telling stories around the room. It's a great way to get together and share stories with friends.

Why World Storytelling Day is Important

A

Preserve oral culture

Storytelling is a powerful way to preserve cultural values, wisdom and traditions. By celebrating World Storytelling Day, we are acknowledging the importance of these narratives and encouraging communities around the world to pass on their stories for generations to come.

B

Inspire creativity

The timeless art of storytelling encourages creativity, imagination and expression. Listening to stories - whether they're from another culture or your own - can spark ideas and help us look at the world in new ways.

C

Promote understanding

By listening to stories from different cultures, we gain insight into their beliefs, customs and values. This helps us cultivate empathy for those who may come from different backgrounds than our own, bridging divides and creating a more compassionate and connected global community.

World Storytelling Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Mar 19
Sunday
2024
Mar 19
Tuesday
2025
Mar 19
Wednesday
2026
Mar 19
Thursday
2027
Mar 19
Friday