This year’s event features the theme of Mythical Creatures & Magical Beasts. Storytellers will share tales in both French and English about fantastical creatures. Presenters include Sylvi Belleau, Jacqui du Toit and Mary Wiggin. Stories draw on mythologies from a number of different cultures, ranging from Indigenous trickster tails to the Norwegian folktale “The Way of World”, which is about a fierce dragon.
Each storytelling block will run for half an hour, with families able to enjoy as much or as little as they want. There will also be activities and crafts aimed at children ages 3 to 10 and related back to the theme. Family events like this often use colourful poster printing and other advertising to help attract visitors. Advertising for the festival emphasizes the difference a talented storyteller can make:
“Gather as a family and listen to entertaining stories of all kinds that will touch your heart, mind, body and spirit. Events are performed by talented artists virtually or in person.”
The festival draws on volunteers for both storytellers and logistical support, with support from the Ottawa StoryTellers organization and Ottawa Public Library.
The 2025 Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival will take place on November 1 at Ben Franklin Place.