Step into the enchanting world of Turkish storytelling with Zeynep Betül Akgün, a full time university teacher and passionate instructor dedicated to preserving Turkey’s rich cultural heritage through the art of narrative.
With a background in English literature and a Delta qualification from Cambridge University, Zeynep brings a unique blend of linguistic expertise and theatrical flair to her craft.
Storytelling provides several advantages to children. As children listen to stories, they acquire knowledge, establish connections with their cultural heritage, and help carry forward traditions
Zeynep’s journey into storytelling began with a deep-seated interest in acting.
From theatre courses to improv classes, she honed her skills and soon found herself captivated by the power of storytelling.
Recognizing the cultural significance of oral tradition in Turkey, Zeynep embarked on a mission to revive this age-old art form, inspired by a Google Ad from ChildsPlay International, offering storytelling partnerships.
Zeynep employs various methods to help pre-reading children interpret stories.
Besides the classic approach of drawing, she also uses magic clay and other arts and crafts activities to engage the children with the stories they’ve listened to.
This inventive approach is just one example of Zeynep’s innovative contributions to the CPI partnership.
A boy explains his drawing to Zeynep during a session.
Drawing from her Turkish roots, Zeynep delves into the rich tapestry of Anatolian folklore, weaving tales that resonate with timeless wisdom and moral teachings. Through interactive sessions in kindergartens and schools, she introduces children to the magical world of storytelling, offering them a glimpse into their cultural heritage.
But Zeynep’s approach goes beyond mere storytelling; she incorporates elements of creative drama to engage young minds and nurture their imagination. From physical warm-ups to improvisational exercises, she encourages children to explore their creativity and develop their storytelling skills.
Anatolian stories refer to the rich and diverse folklore and traditional tales originating from Anatolia, a region in Turkey.
These stories are deeply rooted in Turkish culture and have been passed down orally from generation to generation.
They often feature a mix of mythology, history, and moral lessons, offering insights into the values, beliefs, and customs of Anatolian society.
Anatolian stories encompass a wide range of themes, including heroism, love, adventure, and the supernatural, and they continue to play a significant role in Turkish literature, art, and entertainment.
The Guardian writes: “The oral folktales of the Anatolian plateau are a remarkable blend of storytelling motifs and traditions, drawing on the Arabian Nights and Brothers Grimm, as well as Kurdish, Persian, Slavonic, Jewish and Romanian influences.”
In Zeynep’s workshops, children don’t just listen passively—they become active participants in the storytelling process. Whether it’s retelling a story with a twist, creating their own narratives, or bringing scenes to life through acting, every activity is designed to ignite their imagination and foster critical thinking. In the first session, she asked the children to retell a part of the story in their own words.
As Zeynep guides her students through the magical realm of storytelling, she not only imparts cultural knowledge but also instills valuable life skills. Through the power of storytelling, she inspires young minds to think creatively, communicate effectively, and embrace the rich tapestry of their cultural heritage.
CPI is highly inspired by the innovative approach that Zeynep, along with her expanding team, is introducing to the warm-up ritual. Recognizing that every country and culture has its unique preferences, CPI is eager to gain further insights into the pedagogy utilized in the Turkish kindergarten and school system.
CPI’s Storytelling Manual guides our partners, who tailor it to fit their cultural requirements and practical needs.
In Turkey, Zeynep has applied her own techinqes to the warm-up ritual, involving more physical activities followed by arts and crafts.
CPi’s recommendation is to draw after a storytelling session.
Zeynep introduces clay modeling as a creative activity following storytelling sessions, adding a hands-on element to engage the children further.
Through drawing, and art, children can communicate complex ideas and messages that would otherwise be impossible due to a lack of vocabulary.
The objective is for each child to paint/draw their understanding and representation of their chosen story.
She has started a Fairy Tale Story Book project, where the children start by creating the cover of the book, before they start filling in drawings to reflect the stories they listen to during the program.
Zeynep Akgün reached out to CPI after coming across the website during a Google search. While working as full-time college teacher, her passion for teaching led her to storytelling as a tool for reaching children and adults alike.
As Zeynep launched CPI’s inaugural storytelling program in Turkey, she also enrolled in a specialized storytelling course designed for teachers. This initiative enabled her to not only spearhead the storytelling program but also deepen her understanding and proficiency in the art of storytelling.
When I was a child, my grandfather used to tell me the stories he wrote. My mother nourished this love with the tales she told every evening before bed and with the Anatolian storybooks she bought. Stories do not only belong to my childhood.
My interest in the storytelling field grew significantly after reading 1001 Arabian Nights. Scheherazade, the bold and brilliant character who is also the narrator of the book, captivated me. She intertwined tales, stories, and anecdotes for a thousand and one nights to save both herself and the daughters of her country. Characters like Sindbad, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Aladdin’s magic lamp further fueled my imagination.
My passion for reading evolved into writing, resulting in five books, including works for children and adolescents. At Istanbul University, I pursued American Language and Literature, where engaging with plays, novels, and stories from British and American literature significantly enhanced my narrative skills. I furthered my education with a master’s degree in English Language and Education, and I have since dedicated 25 years to teaching English.
After completing my Storytelling Training, I had the opportunity to apply what I learned in kindergarten. After telling the stories I embellish them with music, dance, and rhythm exercises, we do painting and creative drama activities with the children. I am exploring ways to combine stories with areas such as mindfulness and meditation or puppet shows.
My goal is to reach socially disadvantaged children and make them more familiar with stories because I believe in the healing power of stories.
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