FESTIVAL CONCEPT / PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Tailless Tales, with the motto “Stories In Performance”, is an interdisciplinary arts festival that celebrates the vibrant, evolving tradition of African storytelling — a form that, like life itself, often unfolds without a fixed ending or “tail.” Drawing inspiration from Ghana’s oral storytelling heritage, the festival highlights narratives that transcend generations, continuously shifting and resonating with new meaning.
Launched in 2019 in partnership with the Writers Project of Ghana, Tailless Tales began as a monthly live series featuring performances across poetry, drama, music, dance, and literary readings, alongside interactive theatre and creative arts workshops. The festival promotes literature, performance, and cultural education, while advocating for youth empowerment, community dialogue, and social transformation through the arts.
Each festival edition begins with a hands-on creative workshop, followed by poetry recitals that spotlight both emerging voices and established literary talents. The day progresses with dynamic music and dance performances, culminating in a full theatrical production. These drama presentations include original works by young Ghanaian and African playwrights, as well as classic public-domain plays selected for their contemporary social relevance. All programming is carefully curated for artistic merit and thematic resonance.
Running successfully in Accra from 2019 until early 2020, the festival paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and funding constraints. In its next chapter, Tailless Tales will relaunch as a biannual or annual arts festival, with an expanded vision — aiming to grow its audience, diversify partnerships, and establish itself as a landmark event on Ghana’s cultural calendar. This evolution will enable richer programming, deeper engagement, and stronger support for participating artists.
Festival Objectives
> Promote the appreciation of performance art and literature in Ghana.
> Create space for intergenerational artistic dialogue and mentorship.
> Empower youth through creative education and expression.
> Address social and cultural issues through accessible performance.
> Foster sustainable collaborations across Ghanaian and African arts sectors.
Target Audience
General public, students, emerging artists, educators, and cultural enthusiasts.
Current Needs
We are actively seeking funding, strategic partnerships, and technical support to grow Tailless Tales into a nationally significant festival that nurtures creativity and cultural exchange.