Storytelling Festival Nijmegen
2026
After Celebrating our 5th anniversary last year, we got to thinking… what now? We looked at our previous programs, we looked at each other, we looked at the world (yikes…) and wondered were do we belong in all of this?
Join us as we search a sense of belonging through stories, comedy and music in our temporary culture hub De Werkplaats.
Belonging
noun
a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you: A sense of belonging is one of humanity's most basic needs (Example)
09-12 > GURBET – OR HOW I BECAME RICH | SOULA NOTOS
“Gurbet – or how I became rich” is a personal and critical story about diaspora and the space in between where you are always longing and always on the way, but you never seem to arrive.
10-12 > A TRAIL OF POMEGRANATE SEEDS | RASHA HILWI & SAHAND SAHEBDIVANI
The impressive love and life stories of writer and journalist Rasha Hilwi and storyteller Sahand Sahebdivani. Personal stories about leaving their homelands and trying to find belonging will be mixed with a tapestry of songs and folk tales.
11-12 > WILD CARD | MARTIN FONDSE & FEMI DAWKINS
Versatile composer and pianist Martin Fondse and multidisciplinary artist Femi Dawkins explore the power of the Wild Card: the unpredictable factor, the joker that defies rules and moves freely between structures.
12-12 > HOMESICK | HALIL CALISKAN
Halil Caliskan’s debut comedy-hour, Homesick, is a raw and unapologetic exploration of life abroad, blending sharp observations, witty stories and dark political satire.
13-12 > WELCOME | HERMES AHMADI
What is the value of a life and what does it mean to feel your life is being valued? In his comedy show “Welcome”, Hermes will explore these questions through his own life story.
(!) During these events, images and video material will be created for promotional purposes.
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Private Parties
Every year we host a closed parallel program for educational organizations (students) during our festival. Also interested in making storytelling a part of your educational program? Learn more…