In the frame of the Nordic–Baltic Stories storytelling project, 10 storytelling experts – writers, poets, illustrators and storytellers from the Nordic countries – have visited Lithuania since 2022 and have conducted workshops for youngsters in different regions of the country.
About the project
One of the most significant challenges facing public health in Nordic and Baltic societies is the growing level of problems with well-being among young people, caused by anxiety about the planet’s future, the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, fear, and social isolation and other factors.
Nordic culture is brave in tackling topics that are still seen as somewhat hushed-down in other countries (like gender equality, gender identity, minorities, being different, climate crises etc.).
We hope the project activities have inspired the participants to strive towards talking more openly about various topics.
The project aimed to offer children and young people creative tools, knowledge and safe and creative environments where they could voice their thoughts and fears and be heard.
The project has:
- brought representatives from the Nordics to the Baltics and vice-versa, and built new and strengthened existing cultural bridges; created meeting places for people from different cultures and built cultural exchanges;
- offered creative workshops and camps for young people where participants could learn about the art of storytelling and the use of storytelling in their everyday lives.
Project target groups
Children and young people in the Baltic and Nordic countries.
Partners
- Nordic Council of Ministers’ office in Estonia
- Nordic Council of Ministers’ office in Latvia
- Nordic Council of Ministers’ office in Lithuania
- Museum Land of Legends / Storytelling network of Kronoberg (Sweden)
- Cultural professionals in the Nordic and Baltic countries
Key events and activities
- 2022: creative workshop by Linda Bondestam (FIN)
- 2023: creative camps by Markus Mar Efraim (IS) and Agnar Jon Egilsson (IS)
- 2024: creative workshops and trainings by Tine Winther (SE), Jakob Elofsson (SE), Agnar Jon Egilsson (IS), Milda Varnauskaitė (LT), Asthildur Jonsdottir and Ellen Gunnarsdottir (IS), Jesper la Cour Andersen (DK).
Project activities were implemented in Anykščiai, Antalieptė, Gargždai, Molėtai, Oslo, Panevėžys, Plungė, and Vilnius.
