Explore myths, legends and folktales from around the world at the Museum of Docklands in their family friendly weekend festival starting Saturday 16 February.
Hear traditional tales, watch captivating performances and take part in creative workshops.
Saturday 16 Feb
Tepa Putul clay workshop:Pocahontas room, basement
Tepa putul are clay figures of people and animals first made 6000 years ago by the Indus Valley Civilisation and still made today in parts of Bangladesh and India. Learn about Tepa putul and create your own clay figurine to take home. 12.30-1pm, 1.30-2pm, 2.30-3pm & 3.30-4pm (Craft, ages 5+)
Data Flow printing workshop:Jack Petchey room, basement
Rivers have long played an important part in people’s lives and belief systems. Join artist Michael Takeo Magruder and facilitator Sarah Dhanjal and capture your own memories and experiences of rivers using simple printing techniques. Participants’ work will become part of a new digital art installation called Data Flow that is being produced for the Museum’s upcoming Secret Rivers exhibition. 12-1.30pm & 2-4pm (Craft, ages 5+)
Mythical masks:Ground floor foyer
Transform yourself into a mythical beast for the day by making your own mask in this craft activity for all ages. From 12-4pm
The Whispering ForestGround floor foyer and first floor
Enjoy ‘The Whispering Forest,’ an installation created by Clube dos Brasileirinhos who are a Brazilian supplementary school based in north west London. Suitable for all ages. 12-4pm
Traditional Chinese musicChris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
Music workshop, ages 5+Join Wang Ying to learn about some traditional Chinese musical instruments in this music workshop for ages 5+. Enjoy demonstrations of the instruments before having a go at playing them yourself. 12.30-1.15pm, 1.45-2.30pm & 3-3.45pm
Creature cubes:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
Create a mish-mashed mythical creature in this large-scale craft activity suitable for all ages. 12-1.15pm & 1.45pm-4pm
Nian shadow puppets:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
Learn about Nian, a beast from Chinese mythology, and make your own beast to perform in a shadow puppet play in this craft session suitable for all ages. 12-1.45pm & 2.15-4pm
If fish could fly:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
A wonder of nature, flying fish were sometimes caught to be eaten by sailors out to sea. Make your own fish and see how far it will fly in this craft activity suitable for all ages. 12-2.15pm & 2.45-4pm
The chill out zone:Sainsbury Study Centre and Archive, floor 1
Take some time to chill out in this relaxed zone. Play a game, try on some dressing up or relax and read a book. Drop in area is suitable for children of all ages and is open from 12-4pm
Storytelling stage:Warehouse of the World, floor 2
Set sail on an adventure exploring myths, legends and folktales from around the world with this storytelling session suitable for children of 5years or above. 12.15-12:45pm & 3-3.30pm
Stories from Africa, India and Bengal
Rez Kabir tells enthralling tales inspired by stories from Africa, India and Bengal using movement and song. Magical entertainment in English with some elements of other languages. 12.45-1.15pm & 3.30-4pm
River myths
Debbie Guneratne weaves river myths and legends from around the world in this enchanting session including sound and dance. 1.15-1.45pm & 2.30-3pm
Ancient Greek myths
Join Wendy Shearer for the gripping tale of Odysseus and the Island of Aeolia as brave warrior navigates the treacherous seas to get his men home safely no matter what dangers they have to overcome. Plus enjoy an artistic display of the story created by students from Stationer’s Crown Woods Academy in Greenwich. 1.45-2.15pm
Afro-Caribbean folktales
Join Wendy Shearer as she tells some folktales from her Afro-Caribbean heritage. 1.45-2.15
Whale tales:Meet outside Sailortown, floor 2
From the shores of the Thames all the way to the icy seas near Svalbard.Join storyteller Emily and explore tales and crafts of sailors, whalers, myths and magic. Dive down with giants of the deep in this interactive storytelling session for those aged 7 and above! 12.15-12.45pm, 1.45-2.15pm & 3-3.30pm
Free Facepainting:Many East Ends, floor 2
Get your face painted for free. What mythical creature will you become? 12-4pm
Shpresa Programme community performance:Wilberforce Theatre, floor 3
Young people showcase their culture with performances by Shpresa Programme and special guest Besa Berberi. Shpresa is an organisation that runs many projects to support the Albanian community in London. 1-1.20pm
The Farthing Bundle Woman of Bow:Quayside room, floor 3
Hear the tale of Clara Grant, a West Country woman who became the headmistress of a school in Bow. Learn how Clara was moved by the poverty she saw around her and how she began making homemade gifts for the poorest children in East London in this interactive storytelling session suitable for those aged 5 plus. 12-12.30pm, 1.30-2pm & 3-3.30pm
The legend of Arawelo:Quayside room, floor 3
Explore the legend of Arawelo, the ancient Somali warrior queen who challenged what the role of women should be through drama games, performance and play. Explore how stories are passed down between generations and enjoy the chance to examine traditional Somali costume and artefacts in this workshop for ages 5plus ! 12.45-1.15pm, 2.15-2.45pm & 3.30-4pm
Sunday 17 Feb
Basement
Tepa Putul clay workshop:Pocahontas room, basement
Tepa putul are clay figures of people and animals first made 6000 years ago by the Indus Valley Civilisation and still made today in parts of Bangladesh and India. Learn about Tepa putul and create your own clay figurine to take home. 12.30-1pm, 1.30-2pm, 2.30-3pm & 3.30-4pm
Ravens of the Tower printing workshop:Jack Petchey room, basement
Legend has it that if the Tower of London’s six resident ravens ever leave the fortress, London will fall. Learn about the legend of the ravens and use simple printing techniques to create your own raven design to take home. 12-1.30pm & 2-4pm
Ground Floor
Mythical masks:Ground floor foyer
Transform yourself into a mythical beast for the day by making your own mask. Suitable for all ages, 12-4pm
The Whispering Tree :Ground floor foyer
Enjoy ‘The Whispering Tree,’ an installation created by Clube dos Brasileirinhos’ who are a Brazilian supplementary school.
IROKO Theatre Company:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
IROKO Theatre Company bring traditional African fables, myths and legends to life through drama, dance and song. 12.15-1pm & 2.30-3.15pm
Creature cubes:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
Create a mish-mashed mythical creature in this large-scale craft activity. 12-1.15pm & 1.45pm-4pm
Nian shadow puppets:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
Learn about Nian, a beast from Chinese mythology, and make your own beast to perform in a shadow puppet play. 12-1.45pm & 2.15-4pm
If fish could fly:Chris Ellmers gallery, ground floor
A wonder of nature, flying fish were sometimes caught to be eaten by sailors out to sea. Make your own fish and see how far it will fly. 12-2.15pm & 2.45-4pm
Floor 1
Floor 2
Storytelling stage:Warehouse of the World, floor 2
Set sail on an adventure exploring myths, legends and folktales from around the world. 1-1:30pm & 2-2:30pm
Ancient Greek myths – Join Wendy Shearer for the gripping tale of Odysseus and the Island of Aeolia as brave warrior navigates the treacherous seas to get his men home safely no matter what dangers they have to overcome.
Plus enjoy an artistic display of the story created by students from Stationer’s Crown Woods Academy in Greenwich. 1:30-2pm & 3:30-4pm
An Irish tale – Olivia Armstrong tells Feetwater, the story of an old woman who lives on her farm in Donegal in the north of Ireland. Find out what happens when some very strange visitors came to call. 2-2:30pm
Afro-Caribbean folktales – join Wendy Shearer as she tells some folktales from her Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Whale tales:Meet outside Sailortown, floor 2
From the shores of the Thames all the way to the icy seas near Svalbard.Join storyteller Emily and explore tales and crafts of sailors, whalers, myths and magic. Dive down with giants of the deep! 12.15-12.45pm, 1.30-2pm & 3-3.30pm
Community performances:Wilberforce Theatre, floor 3
Young people showcase their culture with performances by EC Lighthouse Lithuanian School and Shpresa Programme, an organisation that runs many projects to support the Albanian community in London. 1-1.40pm
The Farthing Bundle Woman of Bow:Quayside room, floor 3
Hear the tale of Clara Grant, a West Country woman who became the headmistress of a school in Bow. Learn how Clara was moved by the poverty she saw around her and how she began making homemade gifts for the poorest children in East London in this interactive storytelling session. 12-12.30pm, 1.30-2pm & 3-3.30pm
The legend of Arawelo:Quayside room, floor 3
Explore the legend of Arawelo, the ancient Somali warrior queen who challenged what the role of women should be through drama games, performance and play. Explore how stories are passed down between generations and enjoy the chance to examine traditional Somali costume and artefacts! 12.45-1.15pm, 2.15-2.45pm & 3.30-4pm.