The Suffolk Young Storyteller of the Year 2025 competition is calling for aspiring young storytellers aged 7 to 18 to showcase their talent. This initiative, organized by Magnificent Rumours, is open exclusively to residents of Suffolk and aims to celebrate creativity and community through the art of storytelling.
Scheduled for 21 June, the competition will culminate in a live performance where ten finalists will present their original works. The winner will be announced on the same day, coinciding with the festivities of Suffolk Day. This event promises to not only highlight the creative abilities of young participants but also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in fostering connections among individuals.
Mr. Dan Sedgewick from Chapter 82 is involved in the competition, emphasizing its significance in addressing the current mental health crisis and combating isolation among young people. He stated, “Without storytelling we don't impart knowledge to one another; we can't impart wisdom or learn about the past.” His remarks underscore the foundational role storytelling plays in sharing experiences and knowledge across generations.
The event aims to encourage participation from young people throughout Suffolk, providing them with a platform to express themselves creatively. “In this current day and age, where we face a mental health crisis, we face an increasingly isolated population, stories are proven to counteract that and bring us together,” Mr. Sedgewick added, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of storytelling.
C.B. Jackson, also involved with Magnificent Rumours, shared insights on the innate storytelling ability of children. “Kids tell stories all the time; they hear stories all the time and they transmit truth and connection through story,” he remarked. This statement reinforces the idea that storytelling is a natural form of communication that fosters understanding and relationships among individuals.
The competition not only aims to promote storytelling as an art form but also seeks to instill a sense of community among participants. Mr. Sedgewick further elaborated, “Stories give us a sense of place in the world; geographically, where we live; historically, where we are right now, and spiritually.” His comments reflect the broader impact that storytelling can have on individual identity and community cohesion.
Moreover, Jackson noted that there is both an art and a science to storytelling that has persisted throughout human history. He stated, “There is a skill to storytelling. It's a science and an art, but it's something that human beings have always done.” This assertion reinforces the idea that storytelling is not just a pastime but a vital component of societal interaction.
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