Dragons All Around: World Storytelling Days 2014

I have been dreaming of Dragons for a good long while now as I prepare for World Storytelling Days 2014. To begin the journey, my TALES team and I have established a relationship with Vivian Morgan at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre and embarked on a journey to celebrate dragons in the Cultural Hall there.  It is a beautiful hall festooned with dancing Dragons.

Last Night I found one under my bed and here I am to give the report.

This Dragon was radiating energy and kept my body electrified so that my sleep was brief.  This Dragon kept me dreaming of the many dragon incarnations from varied nations; Sigurd and Fafnir, of the Mother of Five Chinese Dragons and of Assipattel and the Muckle Mester Stoorworm among many others.  Each one speaks to me in a different way.

What follows is a list of sources of Dragon and Monster Stories:

Li Chi Slays the Serpent  – Jane Yolen’s Favorite Folktales from Around the World.

The Lambton Worm – a traditional folk song published by Newcastle Upon Tyne City Libraries and Arts

Peder and the Water Sprite (Swedish) from Pleasant de Spain’s Multicultural Tales to Tell

Ragnarok the end of the Norse World – Gods of the Vikings – Kevin Crossley Holland

Redhead the Whale and other Icelandic Stories translated by Helga Miller and George Houser

“Assipattle and the Muckle Mester Stoorworm” in collections of Orkney and Scottish Folklore

“Cassiopeia and Cetus the Sea Monster” from Mary Hoffman and Jane Ray’s Sun Moon and Stars

St George and the Dragon  (Levant), Illiyankas the Dragon ( Anantolia), Jamshid and Dragon – King Zahak (Iran) from Myths of the Near East – Folio Society collection

Prince Lindworm from Scandinavian Legends and Folktales retold by Gwyn Jones

The Tale of Sigurd from The Red Fairy Book Edited by Andrew Lang

RECORDINGS:

Duke Ye Loved Dragons told by Kate Stevens – Storysave CD published by Storytellers of Canada

The Perfect Dragon (Chinese) told by Cathryn Fairlee