The libraries of Benidorm, l'Alfàs del Pi, Altea and Callosa come together to recover the tradition of oral storytelling with 'Contes a la Fresca'

The municipal public libraries of l'Alfàs del Pi, Altea, Benidorm and Callosa d'en Sarrià are launching "Contes a la Fresca", a new joint outdoor oral storytelling project that, starting next July 15 and once a week, will bring stories, legends and lived stories to an emblematic space in each of the four municipalities.

The initiative, coordinated between the four libraries of the Marina Baixa region and which was presented today in Altea, seeks to recover the tradition of meeting in squares and corners of the town to listen to stories as a community, under the dim light of candles and the coolness of summer nights. Each session, lasting approximately one hour, will be held on Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and will feature volunteer and professional storytellers who will share stories, legends, and oral memory with the audience.

Each library has selected an accessible and unique enclave in its municipality to host the night sessions:

●    La Plaça del Mestre la Música in Altea, July 15
●    L’Hort de Colón in Benidorm, July 22 and 19 August
●    La Plaça del Llaurador in Callosa d’En Sarrià 29 July and 26 August
●    La Vila Romana in l’Albir on 5 August and les Escoles Velles in l’Alfàs on 2 September

The Councillor for Historical Heritage, Ana Pellicer, highlighted “the collaborative and open nature of the project in which different municipalities in the region, through our library technicians, join hands to amplify the scope of the initiative and offer citizens a cultural proposal that draws from our tradition.”

Project Essence

The project is open to everyone who wants to share a story, a legend, a personal anecdote, or any tale worth hearing, without needing to be a professional storyteller. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own candle, lantern, or flashlight to help create the event’s unique atmosphere through ambient lighting.

"Contes a la Fresca" follows in the footsteps of the already established initiative in Vall d'Albaida region and aspires to become an annual event celebrating the magic of oral storytelling and the cultural richness of the Marina Baixa, inviting residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy a sensory and literary experience in a shared public space.