In 2023, Liverpool hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. Liverpool Learning Partnership were commissioned (as part of the EuroLearn programme to curate a thematic strand of events and resources relating to storytelling and creative writing. This work (including the Eurolearn storytelling/creative writing pack) celebrated folktales from Ukraine and invited pupils to explore these alongside stories from other cultures.

What links folklore and folk tales to the Eurovision Song Contest?

Folklore and folk music have often been used as an inspiration for entries into the Eurovision Song Contest. The 2017 article Eurovision and Funky Folk gives an overview of how traditional elements of culture have been included in the Eurovision song contest.

Kalush Orchestra, the winners of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, blend hip hop with folk motifs and elements from traditional Ukrainian music. Ihor Didenchuk, one of the members of the group, is a folklorist who has travelled the Ukraine recording songs that have been passed down by generations.

Why should we explore folktales and fairy tales in school?

For thousands of years, stories were handed down from generation to generation, at first through oral storytelling and later in written, video and digital formats. Folk tales and fairy tales reflect the hopes and fears of communities. They were often used to share a common history, reflect cultural values or highlight important traditions. Although stories from different cultural traditions do vary, they often have thematic or narrative similarities.

Folk stories have been used historically to bring families and communities together. The lesson ideas and resources included in this pack look at how themes of hope, togetherness and belonging are reflected in stories across different cultures, using Ukrainian tales as a starting point.

What events took place as part of EuroLearn?

As part of the EuroLearn Storytelling Strand we held events both online and face to face, schools and libraries. These sessions were commissioned by Culture Liverpool as part of the EuroLearn programme which was supported with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Spirit of 2012 and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Below you can find videos and wakelet collections featuring these events and demonstrating fantastic engagement from the pupils who attended the sessions.