The art of Newfoundland storytelling dates back centuries, but its immediate future lies beyond the family kitchen, local storytellers say.

"Storytelling has become more professionalized and a bit more formal in its presentation," said Dale Jarvis, who created the St. John's Haunted Hike – a popular walking tour of St. John's during summer and fall evenings – and the author of several books on local legends and lore.

Dale Jarvis
Dale Jarvis

"Today, people go to hear storytelling. It's not something that happens as spontaneously as it once did."

Jarvis and others are attending the second annual St. John's Storytelling Festival this week in St. John's.

Traditional storytelling – made legendary by such luminaries as Branch's John Joe English and others – was not considered an art form until it started dying out.

John Joe English
John Joe English

Rediscovery of old stories, however, has also meant turning storytelling into something it never was.

For instance, where storytellers used to collect tales from an oral tradition, newer technologies have come into play.

"I've been doing more and more interviews with people, collecting local stories," Jarvis said.

"But a fair bit of my material I get from written sources as well, and lately I've been getting a lot of sources from people by e-mail. That seems to be the new way of sharing stories."

Marnie Parsons of the St. John's Folk Arts Council says the festival helps celebrate a key part of local culture.

"If we were only having storytelling festivals, then I think it would be a real sin, actually," Parsons said.

"I think stories are part of every aspect of life. But, it's nice to have the opportunity to really sit back and celebrate them."