Four Corners Storytelling Festival

1. Tell us a little bit about your festival and what you consider the main promises of it?

Storytelling in the Four Corners reflects the continuation of an oral tradition that is preserved and embraced. Living in the place where three rivers meet, three cultures – Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo, will gather along the beautiful Animas River, to celebrate their stories. Slow down the pace, kick back (it is scheduled the weekend after the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN) and listen to traditional tales of the Navajo, Hispanic cuentos or stories, some great cowboy poetry and a few tall tales as told by some of the best national, regional and local storytellers.

2. What is your history of including youth in your festival and why do you do it?

We’ve been telling stories for over a 1000 years! You can find the remnants of some of these stories in pictures on rocks, or petroglyphs, scattered throughout the southwest. Symbols of the Twin War Gods, bison and coyote, and even the famous flute player, Kokopelli, live in the Four Corners area. These drawings were created and left to tell the life stories of the Southwest Native Americans.

4. Any other comments you want to share.

Youth Storytellers audition to tell at the festival, sign an agreement to practice their stories in the community throughout the summer months at the library, senior center, schools, mall, etc. The youth storytellers promote the festival throughout the year. During field trip day at the festival, youth storytellers distribute photo and bio bookmarks during lunch time and autograph them for future youth storytellers at the event.

5. Also include contact information so I can send people your way.

Four Corners Storytelling Festival October 9, 10 & 11, 2008
Farmington Public Library
2101 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, NM
Contact: Jenny Lee Ryan at (505) 566-2208 or
Flo Trujillo (Youth Storytelling)