Museum of Tellers is a project on the politics of memory and inheritance; a participatory choreographic work involving the elders and young-teens living in the Municipality of Södertälje. It invites the elders of Södertälje to share stories, fantasies, dreams and anecdotes to create together a pool of memories, which is later interpreted by young people of Södertälje, acting as "future orators of our memory" in a performance of dancing sculptures and storytelling.

The project is carried out in 2 phases. The first phase consists in a series of letter exchanges and telephone conversations with elderlies of Södertälje, those living in elderly homes as well as those living in their own homes. During the second phase of the project we use the collected material for a series of workshops with a selected group of early-teenagers students of dance and theatre at the Kulturskolan of Södertälje. The workshops will culminate in a public performance, as a “museum of dancing sculptures and storytelling”. 

It is a year-long project, with the central objective of being a space for intergenerational sharing and transmission of stories, facilitating an articulation of the voices of these two groups and giving it public expression. The focus is on inspiring the curiosity and desire of the seniors and the youngsters, emphasising that the Södertälje community needs their voices, their memories, their imagination and talent to continue growing stronger and prouder. This participatory choreographic work should be a tool to strengthen the sense of community of the place, by using artistic methods that allow the very participants to be the core of the work.

Credits

Concept and direction: Mirko Guido

Collaborating artist: Amanda Billberg

With the voice of and the performance by the elders and young-teens of the Municipality of Södertälje

special thanks to Yari Stilo

Produced by Mirko Guido and Amanda Billberg, with the collaboration of Kultur365 and Stadsscen (Södertälje Municipality). Founded by Kulturrådet Sweden. Supported by residencies at CCAP and Klump (Subtopia)