Georgetown Festival 2024 - The Story Traveller and Sortilegio

 

On weekends, I was assigned to Armenian Park to help out with a story telling event for kids at the community hall there. Again, I went with an open mind, and had so much fun there. 

First of all, this even forces me to go explore Georgetown. 

Next, the park was transformed into a huge creative playground for kids and adult alike. Everyone was free to go play there, or draw, or just watch. So many kids where these just enjoying themselves. When there wasn't any performances, I would just stand outside and watch people play. Some of the kids also came and played with us. I was on duty with another young student who told me she was 'socially challenged'. She was a bit strange, but she got on well with the kids. 

The performances we were helping out with was a story telling even for kids. I just love how their organised the place, and the poster they put out. Perhaps I was out of touch, or was often not involved in such art event before, I just find everything so fresh and creative. 

There were stories for English, Mandarin, Malay and even Hokkien session. We the volunteers actually begged them to let us in for the last performance as we were both curious how the story telling was conducted. 

To give you some clue, above is what the stage of the performance was like! Audiences were lead in during starting time from the faded yellow door at the far right, and lead up the stage. So the story telling actually happened behind the stage! And since it was catered to kids, they were all given snacks to eat during the performances. It was interesting, no doubt. 

Here is the main story teller with the kids after the performance. Apparently he is quite well known to some of the kids. Perhaps they listened to his YouTube channel to learn mandarin from it? 

At the same site, there was also this weird Italian looking puppet show being held call Sortilegio. I was really curious about it, and wanted to purchase a ticket to watch it. 

But then I saw how the puppet show was being carried out and chicken out, lol. You see, it's performed to only one person at a time. And although the audience who saw it seems pleased with it at the end of the show, I find it rather intimidating to watch a 1-on-1 show. What if I don't like the show? What it I got bored? So many what if! I decided to skip it. My introverted self just can't accept it even though I was curious about it.

I finished work around 630pm, and took a lovely walk to Little India to catch a bus home.

My light dinner of overnight oats with bananas. I was given a fan/fan of the story teller. It was worth around 5rm maybe? But it was a nice gesture that they gave it to the volunteer. Thank you! I wish you all the best in your career!

Sample of their performance: