The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports celebrates World Storytelling Day, an international holiday dedicated to the art of oral storytelling and the power of storytelling that transcends language, culture and generation. This day reminds us that storytelling is one of the oldest human creative expressions – a way of transmitting knowledge, nurturing tradition and building community.

Stories are a bridge between the past and the future. They teach us empathy, open up space for dialogue and remind us that every community, every family and every individual carries their own treasure trove of experiences worth sharing. In times of rapid change, storytelling brings us back to the fundamental values: listening, understanding and connecting.

Let World Storytelling Day be an opportunity to pause, listen to each other and remind ourselves that stories, whether folk, literary or personal, shape our identity and enrich our common heritage and that every story told contributes to preserving cultural diversity and strengthening social cohesion.