Why it matters: The record-breaking achievement at the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival saw Veronica Chambers from Ipswich and Justine de Mierre from Woodbridge join 98 other storytellers from 33 countries.
The big picture: The 80-hour and 34-minute marathon of continuous storytelling took place in the iconic Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, with performers sharing stories from diverse cultural backgrounds as part of the festival's 2025 theme, Bahja (Joy).
The details:
Chambers played a crucial dual role, not only performing but also stepping in at the last moment to administer the event.
The record attempt required at least ten audience members to be present for each performance.
Storytellers delivered more than 200 workshops in schools, reaching over 5,000 children.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Anouk de Timary officiated the attempt.
What they're saying: Mike Wood, owner of the World Storytelling Café in central Marrakech and one of the key organisers, said: "On behalf of the festival, I am honoured to dedicate this world record to our patron, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, may God assist him. We are delighted with this collective achievement and proud that our storytellers were also able to complete more than two hundred workshops in schools."
The bottom line: The Marrakech International Storytelling Festival combined a world record attempt with educational outreach, delivering workshops to more than 5,000 children and undoubtedly creating lifelong memories for two Suffolk storytellers.
