Magna Carta News
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
November 13, 2003
OKLAHOMA CITY - Before telephones, radio and television gained popularity for spreading news, information was passed along by word of mouth.
Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague, wants to keep the ancient folk art of storytelling alive. At his request, Gov. Brad Henry signed a proclamation which designates the week of Nov. 16-22 as Oklahoma Tellabration! Storytelling Week.
Morgan will present the proclamation to Territory Tellers of Oklahoma during a public awards ceremony Nov. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Prague. A reception in the church fellowship hall will follow the ceremony.
"Territory Tellers is an organization with approximately 150 members statewide," President Garland McWatters said. "They are professional storytellers from all walks of life."
The stories are not western or Native American in design. They are personal and/or original stories that can be youth or adult-oriented "to celebrate an oral tradition of literature," McWatters said.
Morgan said storytelling almost became a lost art in this country. In 1975, the National Association for the Preservation and Perpetuation of Storytelling, now called the National Storytelling Network, was founded to promote the art on a national level.
"Storytelling is a valuable method of sharing American folklore and is an important means of contributing to Oklahomans' knowledge of the history of our state," the legislator said. "Storytelling embraces the lore of diverse cultures and exposes us to the richness of our differences while fostering understanding."
McWatters, who will be the event's master of ceremonies, said his organization will partner with the National Storytelling Network to produce an annual celebration of storytelling called Tellabration the week preceding the Thanksgiving holiday.
The week of Tellabration in Oklahoma will feature the week of storytelling concerts and workshops for the general public throughout Oklahoma.
Bonnie Smith, awards ceremony coordinator, said plaques will be given to Governor Henry and Representative Morgan for their parts in keeping storytelling alive in Oklahoma. "We are expecting a large turnout for the event," she said.
McWatters said he also will present Henry and Morgan with honorary memberships into the Territory Tellers of Oklahoma. Officials said the Governor is not expected to attend the awards ceremony.
McWatters said storyteller Steve Kardaleff will perform a skit in cooperation with Oklahoma Statehood Day to personify Charles Haskell, this state's first Governor. The Kolache Association will present Kardaleff with a vest and hat during the awards ceremony, which is the typical dress for the annual Czech festival in Prague.
McWatters said Oklahoma Tellabration! Storytelling Week will come to a close with a free concert at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City.
More information about the state storytelling organization is available on the Internet at www.territorytellers.org. Search for links to "Tellabration" for a complete lineup of storytelling events.
- 30 -
Scott Hancock
Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
1-800-522-8502 ext 422
Media Division
November 13, 2003
OKLAHOMA CITY - Before telephones, radio and television gained popularity for spreading news, information was passed along by word of mouth.
Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague, wants to keep the ancient folk art of storytelling alive. At his request, Gov. Brad Henry signed a proclamation which designates the week of Nov. 16-22 as Oklahoma Tellabration! Storytelling Week.
Morgan will present the proclamation to Territory Tellers of Oklahoma during a public awards ceremony Nov. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Prague. A reception in the church fellowship hall will follow the ceremony.
"Territory Tellers is an organization with approximately 150 members statewide," President Garland McWatters said. "They are professional storytellers from all walks of life."
The stories are not western or Native American in design. They are personal and/or original stories that can be youth or adult-oriented "to celebrate an oral tradition of literature," McWatters said.
Morgan said storytelling almost became a lost art in this country. In 1975, the National Association for the Preservation and Perpetuation of Storytelling, now called the National Storytelling Network, was founded to promote the art on a national level.
"Storytelling is a valuable method of sharing American folklore and is an important means of contributing to Oklahomans' knowledge of the history of our state," the legislator said. "Storytelling embraces the lore of diverse cultures and exposes us to the richness of our differences while fostering understanding."
McWatters, who will be the event's master of ceremonies, said his organization will partner with the National Storytelling Network to produce an annual celebration of storytelling called Tellabration the week preceding the Thanksgiving holiday.
The week of Tellabration in Oklahoma will feature the week of storytelling concerts and workshops for the general public throughout Oklahoma.
Bonnie Smith, awards ceremony coordinator, said plaques will be given to Governor Henry and Representative Morgan for their parts in keeping storytelling alive in Oklahoma. "We are expecting a large turnout for the event," she said.
McWatters said he also will present Henry and Morgan with honorary memberships into the Territory Tellers of Oklahoma. Officials said the Governor is not expected to attend the awards ceremony.
McWatters said storyteller Steve Kardaleff will perform a skit in cooperation with Oklahoma Statehood Day to personify Charles Haskell, this state's first Governor. The Kolache Association will present Kardaleff with a vest and hat during the awards ceremony, which is the typical dress for the annual Czech festival in Prague.
McWatters said Oklahoma Tellabration! Storytelling Week will come to a close with a free concert at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City.
More information about the state storytelling organization is available on the Internet at www.territorytellers.org. Search for links to "Tellabration" for a complete lineup of storytelling events.
- 30 -
Scott Hancock
Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
1-800-522-8502 ext 422
