We’re thrilled to announce that the Africanarra storytelling initiative returns on 23-25 May 2025, with the theme, “Through the Eyes of a Child: Everything is possible”.
All Reggio Emilia inspired schools, institutions, universities, colleges and families across Africa are invited to participate and co-create with us in this initiative, dedicated to the children in Africa and the power of stories to create space for resistance, hope and new possibilities. Africanarra draws its inspiration from Reggionarra, the original storytelling event which takes place annually in Reggio Emilia, Italy – the birthplace of the Reggio Emilia approach.
In the words of Marwa Mahmoud, councillor for educational policies in Reggio Emilia, Italy:
“The theme chosen for the edition is ‘Everything is possible’ and recalls the imaginative power of the story as a tool to face the present. In a time when long shadows seem to be projected onto tomorrow, stories offer themselves as a space of resistance and hope, capable of training the imagination to discover new possibilities.”
Please contact us on admin@reggio.co.za for more information and to register your Africanarra event. Africanarra submissions which are POPIA compliant will be showcased and reposted to the Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance (AREA) social media platforms and a hyperlink added to AREA’s webpage.
Mark your calendar for 24-26 May 2024 to participate in Africanarra, a weekend of storytelling by people inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach in South Africa. Held from Friday 24 May to Sunday 26 May 2024, Africanarra will coincide with, and link to, Reggionarra, the original storytelling event happening in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Anyone inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach in early learning centres, schools, colleges, universities or community centres in South Africa (or anywhere on the African continent) can participate.
Anyone who chooses to participate designs and plans their own storytelling events, including when and where it happens, and the form the event will take.
Imagine lunchtime stories on blankets; stories by torchlight under the stars; stories created and acted out by children or grandparents; stories woven together and animated by students and teachers; actors and musicians in classrooms, halls or public parks. Fairytales and folktales, new stories and old favourites, stories of courage and hope, stories of childhoods long ago, stories for all ages, shadow stories and puppet shows, stories in your mother tongue, stories in mime or sign language.
Photos of storytelling events already happening in Reggio-inspired schools in South Africa
A night of stars, slippers and stories at Reddam House Waterfall.
A night of stars, slippers and stories at Reddam House Waterfall.
A night of stars, slippers and stories at Reddam House Waterfall.
Movie night in the garden featuring a movie made by parents and children at Small World in Roosevelt Park
Family day at Small World School in Johannesburg, where families came to school to listen to isiZulu stories on a cold winter’s morning. Children, teachers and families shared not just stories told by a local storyteller but also cookies and hot chocolate around a fire.
A parent from Small World School in Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg, reading the story that she had illustrated.
A storytelling morning at Zakheni Early Learning Centre, Protea Glen, Soweto
A storytelling morning at Zakheni Early Learning Centre, Protea Glen, Soweto.
Children hearing stories about wild animals at Kananelo Early Learning Centre in Orange Farm township, near Johannesburg.
Stories and shadow play at Mimosa School in Auckland Park
Puppet shows in the garden at Mimosa School in Auckland Park
Some twinkly lights, stories and fantasy play at Mimosa School in Auckland Park
Storytelling through theatre at Mimosa School in Auckland Park
Begin dreaming up what you’d like your storytelling weekend to be like, and engaging the people in your community who can help make it happen. As you firm up details of when, where and how it will happen, we’ll be sending out a form where you can share your event details, so that we in turn we can share your event with others who are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and the power of storytelling.
Interested but have more questions? Get in touch! Contact the Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance on admin@reggio.co.za, WhatsApp 082 852 6424, or send a direct message to the Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance Facebook page.
Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance 
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