Since 1999, The Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, GIMISTORY, has aligned itself with a tradition as old as man. Celebrating the art and culture of storytelling, the event is an honor to one of the ancient acts that engages, entertains and educates.
Storytelling is a way of communicating. It prompts listening and understanding. Stories convey information and help heal communities. Whether profound or lighthearted, storytelling changes mankind and illuminates the world.
GIMISTORY, The Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, brings professional storytellers from around the globe together to shed light on their heritage, explore legend and myth, provide drama and laughter, create a sense of wonder and stimulate the imagination in a captive audience.
On Saturday, December 1st, Cayman Islands residents and visitors can attend GIMISTORY storytelling events in each of the districts in Grand Cayman as well as on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Free stories take place on beautiful beaches, beneath stunning sea trees, in open fields under a moon-lit sky and in various parks.
Local storytellers and those from overseas take to the stage to deliver tales while crackling fire pits steam fresh fare for attendees to eat after the lore. Come experience the culture of the Cayman Islands as well as some outstanding food and drinks.
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation presents GIMISTORY as a complimentary event for the community, made possible because of the support of many Cayman Islands small and large businesses.
The festival sees more than 2,500 people annually from all generations, nationalities, and backgrounds on the Cayman Islands. The main goal of GIMISTORY, The Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival is to revitalize the art of storytelling, which has been a form of community engagement in some sort or another since the beginning of our islands’ history.
Through storytelling, our ancestors transferred morals and important information before the age of television and radio. The Cayman Islands have long incorporated storytelling workshops into schools and they frequently have events focused on stories.
November 15th, 2018