Pontypridd Town Council has announced the line-up for a new Children’s Storytelling Festival taking place in Pontypridd Museum and Ynysangharad Park on May 13th with a jam-packed programme of free events filled with fun for all the family!

Pontypridd Children’s Storytelling Festival is part of a series of events hosted by both Pontypridd Town Council and Parti Ponty - A Welsh Language Festival for Everyone, who have come together to host the Creative Pontypridd Creadigol Weekend, taking place from May 12th  -13th.

At the heart of the Children’s Storytelling Festival is The Mab Trail, an interactive story trail based on Wales’ oldest myths and legends. The home of the trail is Pontypridd Museum, with a series of permanent story stones and story boards to be found in locations across Pontypridd.

The Mab Trail is based on the tales of The Mab, a popular bilingual book for children, which reimagines the ancient stories of the Mabinogi for today’s young readers. Children and adults alike can follow the trail to discover Wales’ most ancient tales.

As part of the Children’s Storytelling Festival, guided tours of The Mab Trail will be on offer, where trail-goers will be able to take rubbings of the stones, encouraging them to walk the stories of Wales and to create some new ones of their own, inspired by Pontypridd. 

There’ll be a chance to meet The Mab and hear from three of the team of fantastic, award-winning authors behind the book, Matt Brown and P.G Bell. 

Special live storytelling sessions of Y Mabinogi by Struts and Frets Theatre, will be taking place in Pontypridd Museum. Through immersive and interactive storytelling, elaborate puppetry and original music, the bi-lingual sessions will follow the legends of Rhiannon, Blodeuwedd, and Pryderi through a time when magic coursed through the Welsh landscape, fantastical tales of giants filled the air, epic battles took place, and wizards cast their spells.

Adventure awaits for younger children, with Louby Lou’s Storytelling in the Park and for older children with Pontypridd-based Welsh language author Elidir Jones, who’ll be encouraging participants to create their own fantasy world, full of magic and monsters.

That’s just a flavour of what’s on offer, with more exciting events, arts and crafts activities, and much more. 

Caysha Frederick, Pontypridd Town Council’s Schools and Community Liaison Officer, said,

‘'We’re so excited to launch the Children’s Storytelling Festival. We have created a day of events that we hope young readers and their families will find inspiring and entertaining, that celebrate Wales' incredible stories as well as bringing some of the nation’s favourite characters to life - from the page to the stage. 

The Mab Trail, Pontypridd’s wonderful storytelling trail is at the heart of this year’s event, linking Wales’ most ancient stories with not only the town but the festival too in the hope of inspiring the next generation of writers and artists. We can’t wait to see you in May!’'

Pontypridd Children’s Storytelling Festival events are free to attend, but tickets are needed to gain entry.

Full programme and tickets available HERE