One of the standout moments of this year’s festival was Magic Carpets, a storytelling session at St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, where Omar Belaarej (Morocco) and Maria Gillen (Ireland) shared timeless tales of wisdom, humour, and humanity. They were joined by John Row (England) of the World Storytelling Café, who reminded us that stories travel beyond borders, connecting us all through the power of words. Pictured (left to right): Moroccan storyteller Omar Belaarej, Irish storyteller Maria Gillen, Cllr. Michael Foley, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr. Michael Leane, Mayor of Listowel, and Cara Trant, Executive Director of Kerry Writers’ Museum and Festival Director of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival.