With the Cassandra Project, Alden Biesen spotlights young talent (ages 18–30) from five European countries. They collaborate with experienced storytellers and festival organisers to create performances focused on social themes that resonate with them, with the aim of creating an (inter)national platform and fostering a new generation of storytellers.
As the organiser of the International Storytelling Festival, Alden Biesen is enthusiastic about revitalising the art of storytelling and giving young talent an international platform.
In the Cassandra project, festival organisers and experienced storytellers from the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Norway and Belgium work together with 3 young talents (18 – 30 years old) per country.
Each young storyteller prepares a 20-minute performance about a social issue close to their heart. The goal is an (inter)national stage.
Cassandra is funded by Creative Europe, with FEST (the Federation for European Storytelling) as its main partner.
The other partners are:
Fortellerfestivalen (NO)
Stowarzyszenie “Grupa Studnia O .” (PL)
More information can be found here: https://fest-network.eu/project/cassandra/
Articles, press and information:
Performance during the Ghent Festivities 20/07/2025: Winter, Ynys, and Daan's first professional performance during the Ghent Festivities was a resounding success! In the atmospheric basement of the NH Collection hotel, located in Ghent's vibrant city centre, they delivered their intimate stories with verve and passion. This performance marks a significant milestone in their artistic development, which they have undergone over the past few months thanks to the Cassandra project. We are incredibly proud of their first steps in their professional careers as storytellers and look forward with confidence to what's to come!
Blog 26/06/2025: Cassandra Project in Rome: The Final Moment of a European Storytelling Adventure https://www.alden-biesen.be/post/cassandra-project-in-rome-final-moment-of-a-european-vertelavontuur
Blog 13/05/2025: 28 years of Storytelling Festival: education, atmosphere and new talent in Alden Biesen https://www.alden-biesen.be/post/28-jaar-vertelfestival-educatie-sfeer-en-nieuw-talent-in-alden-biesen
Blog 03/03/2025: Three Belgian Cassandra storytellers shine at Teas & Tales! www.alden-biesen.be/post/drie-belgische-cassandra-storytellers-schitteren-op-teas-tales
Newsletter 17/12/2024: The Cassandra Storytellers are fresh from a triumphant Amsterdam showcase... Read the newsletter here
Blog 12/11/2024: Young storytellers share their talent! www.alden-biesen.be/post/jonge-verhalenvertellers-delen-hun-talent
Blog 16/10/2024: Stories that touch: the success of the first Cassandra try-out. www.alden-biesen.be/post/verhalen-die-raken-het-succes-van-de-eerste-cassandra-try-out
Press 08/10/2024: Het Belang Van Limburg: Alden Biesen offers a new generation of storytelling artists an international platform. www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20241008_96373085
Blog: 07/10/2024: Meet the Belgian participants - Alden Biesen gives young storytellers an international platform with the Cassandra Project www.alden-biesen.be/post/cassandra