The Brothers Grimm traveled across Europe in the 1800s collecting folktales that eventually became the classic fairytales children read today. However, most were never intended for children. This talk explores the story of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and discusses why collecting folktales is important for understanding a community’s values and fears.
Priscilla Howe is a freelance storyteller and a 2015 Fulbright Senior Scholar. A former children’s librarian, Howe moved to Lawrence in 1993 and became a global storyteller who has shared stories on 4 different continents.
“Stories really aren’t just for children. I love the Grimm tales even more as an adult than I did as a child, and I was a story-devouring kid,” Howe said. “There’s something in these stories that connects us on a deep level. It’s like magic.” “Grimm for Grownups” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.
This presentation was made possible by Humanities Kansas. Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
