Maratón de los Cuentos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Storytelling Marathon of Guadalajara
Genre	Festival de oral tradition
Dates	Second or third weekend of June
Begins	1992
Location(s)	Palacio del Infantado Guadalajara (Spain)
Participants	1679 (2017)
Organised by	Biblioteca Pública de Guadalajara
Website	Official page event - MaratondelosCuentos.org: http://www.maratondeloscuentos.org/

The Maratón de los Cuentos (Storytelling Marathon) is an amazing festival of oral tradition that happens every year. It takes place in the beautiful Infantado Palace in Guadalajara (Spain). This exciting event usually happens during the second or third weekend of June.

During the marathon, storytellers from all over the world share their tales. They tell stories without stopping for the entire weekend! The Maratón de los Cuentos started in 1992 and has been held every year since then. In 2011, it celebrated its 20th birthday with an incredible 46 hours of non-stop storytelling. More than 200 volunteers help make over 70 activities happen during the festival.

History of the Storytelling Marathon

The Storytelling Marathon keeps going all night long! Many people come to listen to stories in the evening.

The idea for the Marathon came from Blanca Calvo. She was the director of the Guadalajara Library. In 1982, she started a group called the Seminary of Children and Youth Literature of Guadalajara. This group helped create the Marathon and other events.

The very first Marathon happened on April 23, 1992. It was part of the Guadalajara Book Fair. That first event lasted 24 hours, from Friday noon to Saturday noon. The goal was even to get into the Guinness Book of Records! Famous writers like Antonio Buero Vallejo and José Luis Sampedro took part.

In 1993, the Marathon moved to the Infantado Palace for the first time. It grew even longer, lasting 36 and a half hours.

Since then, the "Marathon of the Tales of Guadalajara" has found its home. It takes place in the Patio de los Leones (Lions' Courtyard) of the Palace of Infantado. Stories are told without interruption throughout the weekend.

In 2016, the festival celebrated 25 years of storytelling! It is now known as the biggest oral narration festival. It welcomes kids, teens, adults, storytellers, and anyone curious about stories. Guadalajara is even called the "world capital of the story" because of it. After 25 years, the festival hopes to become a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Where the Stories Happen

The Infantado Palace is decorated for the Marathon. Most of the festival's activities happen here.

The Infantado Palace in Guadalajara has been the main home of the Marathon since 1993. It gets specially decorated for the event.

• Patio de los Leones: This is the main courtyard inside the palace. It's where the main storytelling marathon happens. An illustration marathon also takes place here.
• The Hall (Zaguán): This is a smaller courtyard at the palace entrance. Newer or shyer storytellers often share their tales here. If the weather is bad, the main storytelling marathon moves to this indoor hall. The final concert of the Marathon also happens here.

The gardens of the Infantado Palace also host some activities. You can find stalls selling books or traditional products there. Sometimes, you can even enjoy a cup of tea. Outside the palace, in front, there are more stalls and shows.

Other places in Guadalajara also join the fun. The Plaza del Jardinillo, Plaza Mayor, and the main street often have activities and shows. Some past locations included the Chinese Hall of the Cotilla Palace and the crypt of the Church of San Francisco. All participating locations are decorated for the festival.

Marathons Within the Marathon

The Maratón de los Cuentos is more than just oral storytelling. Many other exciting activities happen at the same time! These include marathons for illustration, radio, and photography.

Oral Narration Marathon

Many storytellers, both professional and amateur, take part. They tell stories alone or with others. Some use music, sing, or act out the tales. They might wear special costumes or use puppets. Anything is possible when it comes to telling a story!

Illustration Marathon

Illustrators sit in front of the storytellers in the Lions' Courtyard. They draw what they hear.

Artists from around the world draw the stories as they are told. These illustrations are then hung in the Lions' Courtyard for everyone to see.

Each year, these illustrators also create the official poster for the event. This poster helps promote the Marathon and is used on shirts and badges.

Photography Marathon

The Photographic Group of Guadalajara takes many pictures during the event. They create an archive of the celebration each year. This also gives participants a special souvenir of the Marathon.

Radio Marathon

Stories from the Marathon are broadcast live on Radio Arrebato. You can listen on the radio or online at www.radioarrebato.net.

Music Marathon

Since 2002, a music marathon has sometimes happened at the same time. It takes place in the gardens of the Infantado Palace.

Extra Activities at the Marathon

The Zaguán (Hall) of the Infantado Palace also hosts stories. If it rains, the main program moves here. The final concert of the Marathon is also held in this hall.

The Marathon offers many other cool things to do:

• Sign Language Translation: Since 2003, stories are translated into sign language for deaf people. Stories told in other languages are also shown on a screen.
• Talks on Oral Literature: Learn more about the art of storytelling.
• Reading Workshops: Improve your reading skills and discover new books.
• Photo Exhibitions: See pictures from past Marathons.
• Giant Stories: Look at huge stories created by schools or during other activities.
• Chimenea de los Cuentos: This is a cozy place for shyer people to tell a story.
• Street Shows: Enjoy jugglers, mimes, and other performers.
• The Traveling Word: This program brings the Marathon to hospitals and nursing homes.
• Traveler Marathon: Since 1999, a smaller Marathon travels to different towns in the Guadalajara province.
• Professional Oral Narrative Festival: A special festival for professional storytellers since 1997.
• Bicicubeto: A bicycle travels through the city streets. At each stop, a story is told.
• Night Tours: Explore monuments open at night, like the Luis de Lucena chapel. You can also take guided walks around the city.
• Tourist Train: Ride a special train that goes through the city.
• Bookmarking Workshop: Learn how to make your own bookmarks.
• Closing Concert: The Provincial Band of Music plays a concert every Sunday. This concert closes the Marathon each year.

The concert that closes the Storytelling Marathon each year.

Viernes de los Cuentos (Storytelling Fridays)

This event is not part of the main festival, but it keeps the storytelling spirit alive. From October to May, adult storytelling sessions are held on Fridays. This includes special "filandón" sessions. In 2017, it celebrated its 21st year!

Themes of the Storytelling Marathon

Each year, the Maratón de los Cuentos chooses a special theme. This theme guides the stories and activities for that edition:

See also

In Spanish: Maratón de los Cuentos para niños

• Storytelling
• Oral tradition
• Oral storytelling
• Filandón