Date: April 28, 2008
Contact: Tina Smiley, 334-877-1984

Whitehall, Alabama--In recognition of Black History Month, the National Park Service  hosted a two-day storytelling festival focusing on the human struggle for civil rights. The festival, "Cries of Freedom: Stories of Human Struggle," was presented at the Lowndes Interpretive Center, located at 7002 U.S. Highway 80 West in Whitehall, Alabama on February 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and February 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission was FREE.

The National Park Service had invited members of the Alabama Storytelling Guild to present this curriculum-based interpretive program. On day one, February 22nd, four storytellers  presented to school audiences, grades Pre-K to 6th. School performances were reserved between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The second day, February 23rd was open to the general visiting public. Reservations were not required on the second day.

Storytelling is the ancient art of conveying real or fictitious events in words, images, and sounds. Stories have been shared in every culture and in every land as a means of entertainment, education, preservation of culture and to instill knowledge and moral values. "Cries of Freedom" focused on the struggle towards obtaining rights. "Rights" refer to those basic freedoms to which citizens are entitled such as: the right to life and liberty, and freedom of thought and expression, equality before the law, and other social, economic and political rights, including the right to vote.

Space was limited for school groups. Interested schools contacted Helen Dorsey at the Lowndes Interpretive Center to reserve a time for your group. Telephone number 334-877-1984.