I'm Svend-Erik Engh -
I have been a professional storyteller for more than 30 years.
I have been a teacher and coach since 1994.
Photo, Alice Fernbank
Brand new Viking Saga about a young Norwegian woman sailing to Iceland
VIKING STORYTELLING / MUSIC SHOW TO BE PERFORMED Winter 2024 and througout the year2025
Gullrun's Saga will be telling the story of a young woman escaping marriage in Steinkjer, Norway to search for her fortune in Iceland.
We are coming to Steinkjer in Norway the 8th November '24 with the show as part of the Hilmarfestival. #
Johan Einar Bjerkem has been and will be my guide for the details about the story around Steinkjer, Jan Bee Brownis my local Shetland expert and the storyteller that pointed out the great story of Jan knows how it is out there on the water going to or from Shetland. We have Matthew Roby's Old Norse Blog to help us with the Icelandic Sagas.
And Tea Bendix is going to be our illustrator as the story unfolds.
Neil Sutcliffe will take care of the music in the show.
On stage you will find
Icelandic singer Hafdis Huld,
Scottish muscian Neil Sutcliffe
and Danish storyteller Svend-Erik Engh
Walk the Oars
Together with Scottish Musician Neil Sutcliffe we tell a story inspired by the Viking’s arrival in Scotland, with traditional Nordic tales and Gaelic and Scots songs woven into the narrative.
You are invited onboard a Viking Longship sailing from Jutland in Denmark to Shetland in Scotland. A young man sets off to finish his fathers work: to build a causeway out to Law Ting Holm and share his culture with the Shetlanders.
I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t know it was going to be this good
– Lorna Shields
Walk the Oars is a treasure, an ancient oasis of delight in the sea of the modern world. The whole thing is engaging and exciting, and rekindles a semi-lost fire of storytelling
Imogen Rowe, edinburghguide.com
Once Upon a Time There Was a War
Once Upon a Time There Was a War
Commissioned by Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023
Right To Be Human
The harsh reality of war meets the magic of love songs and art, as Danish storyteller Svend-Erik Engh shares stories from real-life soldiers gathered in a decade of research, whilst musician Mairi Campbell sings songs of peace and love, from the canon of Scottish traditional song and her own writings. Danish artist Tea Bendix illustrates words and music, bringing another dimension to the stories.
One of the last events of this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Once Upon a Time There was a War, brought a touch of magical realism to the topic of conflict. Indeed trying to approach ‘war’ directly is usually a losing proposition, the all-encompasing awfulness of the subject defying definition. So in taking a slightly oblique approach, combining the potent talents of Danish storytellerSvend-Erik Engh, award-winning trad musician Mairi Campbell, and Danish live-illustrator Tea Bendix, the show chooses wisely.
A well judged, well balanced show, Once Upon a Time There Was a War, made a lively, poignant and nuanced meditation.
Danish Folktales
Two five stars Waterstones reviews
“I like the selection”
A varied selection of stories, told with heart and presence. Written in such an accessible way that you feel that you easily can retell them yourself if you should like.
Anna Lundquist
“Gorgeous book!”
This is a wee gem of a book - a fascinating mix of tales from a master storyteller, guiding us through the folklore, history and mythology of his country. There's a lovely mix of the humorous and the serious, love and loss, war and peace - something for everyone in this book! You can lose yourself in it for hours, or just flick through on the bus.
Thoroughly recommend!
Neil Sutcliffe
First five star on Amazon (from someone who bought the book on Amazon)
Unique book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Lovely book with enchanting stories. Of interest to all age groups. I thoroughly enjoyed them myself and have read them to my grandchildren who were captivated by them.
Ann Hansen
A collection of tales that grew out of the sprawling flatlands, the oozing fjords, the dark forests and the waves that crash on the shores of Denmark.
How a Viking ship carried a future king into Roskilde Fjord, how a mermaid’s laughter brought fortunes to her fisherman host, how the people of Lolland survived a flood with waves 3m high and how a princess found her freedom in becoming a prince.
Hear stories online
VVV - Venligt Vibrerende Vekselvirkning
Venligt Vibrerende Vekselvirkning (V.V.V) handler udelukkende om historiefortælling og var et begreb, som jeg stillede op engang i 1990'erne, da jeg underviste på Borup's Højskole. Jeg skrev det på tavlen som en modsætning til w.w.w., som voksede voldsomt på det tidspunkt. Jeg har siden skrevet flere artikler om begrebet og det er for mig det nærmeste jeg kan komme en beskrivelse af det magiske, der opstår mellem en fortæller og en lytter (eller flere lyttere!).
