Storytelling is at the heart of what it means to be human. As Yuval Noah Harari notes in Sapiens, our ability to cooperate on a large scale is rooted in the myths and stories we share. Across cultures and generations, stories have preserved memories, recorded experiences, and shaped our collective identity; sometimes carrying knowledge for thousands of years, as seen in Aboriginal Australian tales that recount ancient sea level changes.

Lingotell is a people-centred, forward-looking project dedicated to transforming how we value and manage stories as part of our shared cultural heritage. Our mission is to empower the storytelling traditions of minority and indigenous languages in Europe, ensuring these voices remain vibrant contributors to our continent’s future.

This collaboration brings together Sijti Jarnge (Norway), Fryske Akademy and Mercator European Research Centre (Netherlands), and Pro Progressione (Hungary). Together, we focus on the South Sámi, Frisian, and Roma languages; collecting, retelling, and reimagining stories in many forms: legends, songs, poems, yoiks, myths, dances, performances, and written narratives.

Through Lingotell, we aim to:

• Strengthen minority and indigenous languages by revitalizing their storytelling traditions.
• Safeguard cultural heritage by collecting and sharing stories in endangered European languages.
• Foster mutual understanding among Europeans by highlighting the shared lessons and values in our diverse narratives.
• Inspire new storytelling by making these traditions accessible and relevant for today and tomorrow.

Our findings and creative outputs—including podcasts and digital resources—will be freely available, inviting everyone to explore, learn from, and contribute to Europe’s rich tapestry of stories. Join us as we celebrate the power of stories to connect, transform, and shape our multilinguistic future.