What is A Storytelling Café?
Storytelling cafés are low-barrier, participatory, and facilitated gathering spaces in public areas (indoors or outdoors) that are specifically designed to engage the local neighborhood and strengthen cultural participation within the community. They provide a safe space where personal experiences, stories, and perspectives can be shared.
At the heart of these events is a respectful, appreciative, and non-judgmental dialogue that brings different life realities to light and strengthens neighborly relationships. Through shared storytelling, a social space emerges that fosters trust, highlights everyday knowledge, and recognizes our diversity as a social resource. These events foster dialogue and mutual understanding and are meant to strengthen the sense of community in the neighborhood.
STRUCTURE OF A Storytelling Café
A café takes place in a small group of 5-20 people, inside a specific venue at a guest organization or in the public space. After a brief introduction to the format and the rules of discussion (voluntary sharing, active listening, no judgment or debate), the specific topic at hand is presented.
This is followed by moderated storytelling sessions in which participants share personal experiences and perspectives. The moderator guides the session, keeps the focus on the specific topic, raises questions, connects common themes across the stories, and above all ensures a respectful, inclusive, and balanced space for sharing. After the storytelling sessions, the facilitator briefly summarizes the contributions, highlights key aspects, and draws connections between them. This can be followed by an open, informal exchange that provides space for reflections, connections, and shared contemplation.
What is the Goal of a Storytelling Café?
The goal of the Storytelling Cafés is to create a space for sharing and listening without discussion or debate. By sharing personal experiences, participants can better understand each other and develop a more open and empathetic attitude towards different perspectives and experiences. By bringing people together in specific venues and public spaces, the format supports intercultural exchange and social cohesion in the neighbourhood.
A Storytelling Café is a powerful way to give space to voices and perspectives that are often underrepresented in everyday life and public discourse. By sharing personal stories rather than discussing or debating, Storytelling Cafés foster a more inclusive, supportive, and peaceful society.
Target Group: everyone
Location: inside or outside in a quiet surrounding
Duration: typically 1-2 hours
Frequency: on request
Costs: on request
Current and Past Events
Questions?
If you are interested in learning more, would like to request a Storytelling Café for your institution, or want to organise one yourself with our support, please contact us at team@civilaction.net.
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