MORE than 50 artists have been revealed for Wales’ international storytelling festival next month.

Beyond the Border is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and will have a packed festival programme over three days at the start of July.

The Dinefwr woodlands and castle ruins will provide a stunning backdrop for a ‘vibrantly diverse and captivating line-up.’

Families will be able to listen to stories, music, performances, inspiring talks and take part in arts and crafts activities. There will be a celebration of stories in English, Welsh and some international stories will be represented.

There will also be dancers and circus performers to provide extra fun.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Experimental, vibrant new work and energy from storytelling artists including the well-known and loved Parisian, Abbi Patrix.
  • The final performance from The Devil’s Violin, famous for their music and storytelling shows that receive standing ovations and evoke passionate responses.
  • Special international guests including Hungary’s ‘supervillain storyteller’ and feminist folklorist Csenge Zalka and Belgium’s ‘anarchic Musketeer’ Hoe Baele.
  • Epic master wordsmiths including Sally Pomme Clayton and her late and sometimes risqué solo show for grown-ups, The Mighty Goddess.
  • TUUP – The Unorthodox, Unprecedented Preacher presenting his new show Children of the Sweet Water.
  • Authentic traditions of music and story from west Africa with Balafon virtuoso N’famady Kouyate and The Successors of the Mandingue meet a triple whammy of Beyond the Border’s Mycelium Contemporary Cyfarwyddio, Mair Tomos Ifans, Jo Munton and Deb Winter sharing story morsels gathered from their year-long residencies across Wales.
  • Kestrel Morten’s Binderella – a gothic punk inspired, modern take on a goddess of the bins – a new myth that reweaves the strands of oral tradition into shapes that reflect the challenges of the modern world we all face.
  • Dancer Megan Lloyd’s entrancing acrobatic aerial hoop storytelling performance.
  • Daniel Morden and Oli Wilson-Dickson share their blend of folktale fun.
  • Circus, dance and drama from Citrus Arts and a chance to practice circus skills and make your own hula hoop.
  • Storytelling workshops and the chance to share stories in Spoken Word Saturday and compete in Sunday’s Young Storyteller Competition.
  • Play sessions and dedicated family tent with fun activities.
  • Puppet making and a parade that everyone can take part in.

The theme of the festival this year is ‘the time is now’ which is set to encapsulate the past, present and future of storytelling in Wales through the lens of languages, stories and music from across Europe and the world.

It will also embody cultural and societal movements such as Black Lives Matter, the covid10 pandemic and the significance of the Welsh language.

Audiences are invited to explore what the landscape looks like today, debate issues that matter and gather as a community to influence positive change. There will be Anti-Racism Storytelling Pathways, a collaboration between Beyond the Border and People Speak Up to embed anti-racist storytelling practice across Wales.

There is an option to camp for the weekend or to visit for the day and there will be BSL interpretations across most of the programme and the chance to unwind and reconnect with nature and stalls offering local cuisine.

Beyond the Border takes place at Dinefwr between July 7-9. Tickets and more information are available at www.beyondtheborder.com and under fives go free and there are discounted tickets for those aged 6-16.