A reading mediation team from the Sines Municipal Library (BMS), in the Setúbal district, has been enhancing the beach atmosphere with musical storytelling sessions titled “On the Wet Sand, a Story Told” during the summer heat, encouraging people to relax by the sea.
Inside the Bibliopraia, a small prefab that oversees the comings and goings of fishing boats at the port, the muffled sound of a flute fills the air, offering activities and books to beachgoers throughout the summer months.
“This is our summer space,” explained librarian Sulina Guerreiro, describing the library’s aim to operate “outside its walls” and meet people where they are. The musical storytelling has been a part of their efforts for 15 years.
The event for children is scheduled for 10:30 am. However, ten minutes prior, storyteller Cristina Fernandes asks young Gustavo, who accompanies the team, to invite groups to join the session.
“In the past, I would walk along the beach calling people, but today this is Gustavo’s task,” she remarked, as the youngster eagerly set off across the sand to gather an audience.
Soon, the reserved area surrounded by a wooden fence and shade netting began to fill with children wearing hats and carrying water bottles.
The reading mediation team is usually three members strong, but in the summer, only two are involved: one to narrate and another to provide musical accompaniment.
“We started by telling stories on various beaches in the area. We had a giant tent and would conduct storytelling sessions along with activities related to pollution and the sea. We realized that Sines beach always had an eager audience, with school children and families,” recalled the storyteller.
Alongside, musician Ana Dias mentioned that the flute is “the instrument of choice today,” explaining that the selection varies “depending on the story,” while gesturing to her instrument bag, once a home for a trumpet, now holding a yellow xylophone, maracas, sticks, and bells.
Sitting with a book on her lap, Cristina recognized some of the children seated on the sand at the center of the space. A grandmother recognized her grandson among the group and stayed for the session. Around the enclosure, other adults gathered to listen.
“Good morning folks,” she began, assuming her storytelling persona. The group responded, and without the need for a curtain, the ‘show’ began.
The day’s tale was the classic “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” captivating the audience for just over five minutes. The storyteller, with a firm voice and a smile, steered the narrative as the flute played varying melodies to complement the unfolding adventure.
Both young and old were enthralled by the expressions of the primary school teacher turned reading mediator, who has been conducting these music-infused sessions for over a decade, always keen to gauge the audience’s reactions.
Music serves as “the backdrop,” providing “a continuous thread for the imagination, an extension of the story,” Cristina emphasized. The aim “is for the story to reach the imagination or the heart of the listener, whether an adult or a child.”
“Creating and working with stories is always a tremendous challenge,” admitted Ana Dias. She noted that their efforts often evolve from what was initially rehearsed.
No two sessions are alike, and over the past ten years, she has learned to read “kids’ reactions” and understand the “breath patterns” of the storyteller.
“Initially, it wasn’t so straightforward, but we developed a rapport that’s almost like being in a band,” she joked.
Throughout the year, the team engages in a variety of storytelling activities for both children and adults, including the elderly.
“Bread with marmalade? The story’s come to an end,” called out the storyteller and children in unison, marking the end of another happy tale.
As they bid farewell, brushing sand from their legs, a boy approached, asking, “What was the fox like?” Cristina described a vivid creature with a large tail, and the boy promised, “I’ll draw it.”
Also enjoying the musically enhanced story were other beachgoers, refreshed after a swim, who couldn’t resist praising the storyteller’s engaging performance.
“She read with tremendous magic. Her gestures, intonation, mannerisms, and expressions were excellent. It’s a brilliant idea,” commented Maria Mendonça, a visitor from Portimão in the Algarve.
“This is our real reward. We need money to eat and live, but [the audience’s satisfaction] is our true paycheck,” expressed the storyteller, who plans to return in September after a well-earned break, with more stories ready to be told.
