Chandigarh, November 18, 2016: In its endeavor to promote the ancient, yet revived art of storytelling in India, The British Council organised‘The Art of Storytelling India’ tour which started November 06, 2016 on wards. Aimed at showcasing UK’s ingenuity and creativity in the area of storytelling to young learners and cultural enthusiasts, the workshop in Chandigarh witnessed one of the finest performers Giles Abbott who is a professional storyteller based in London.
Renowned storytellers from UK are traversing across India conducting workshops in different cities including Chandigarh, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Through the workshop Giles shared the magic of creating and telling stories enabling learners to use their imagination, voice and body. Along the way he also gave tips, challenges and guidelines that will help create one’s own storytelling activities.
Giles performs regularly at major storytelling festivals (Festival at the Edge, Beyond the Border, West country Storytelling Festival, Whit by International Folk Week). Giles was awarded the solo commission (adult) for Edge 2007, for which he composed a new telling of the Irish epic “Deirdre”. He continues to perform in clubs all over England. Giles was resident storyteller at the Chelsea Community Hospital Schools from 2005-12 and works every week in primary and secondary schools, mostly, but not exclusively, in London. In 2007 he was awarded a British Telecom “Speaking & Listening” Award for a project undertaken for Dubasha Foundation, using storytelling as a mechanism by which children of 3rd generation Guajarati descent were enabled to dramatically increase their confidence, pride and attainment in their bilingual ability.