John Row and Global Storytellers Make History with Longest Storytelling Session

78-Year-Old Storyteller Breaks World Record for Continuous Storytelling

John Row, a 78-year-old storyteller from Gloucester, has set a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous storytelling session. The achievement took place at the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival, where he joined 100 storytellers from 33 countries in an incredible feat of endurance and creativity.

The record-breaking session lasted an impressive 80 hours and 34 minutes, held at the famous Jemaa El-Fnaa Square on 24 January. Reflecting on the moment, Row described it as a mix of elation and relief, acknowledging the collective effort required to make it happen.

A Celebration of Storytelling

Row, who serves as the festival’s artistic director and curator, was at a gala dinner marking the festival’s conclusion when news of their achievement was announced.

"It was a huge celebration, and the Moroccans performed an incredible chant. It was phenomenal," he said.

Achieving the record was no simple task. The team had to follow strict rules, including ensuring a minimum of 10 audience members at all times. Additionally, a storyteller could only return after four hours, with a maximum break of five minutes. Given the public setting, the event also paused for calls to prayer out of respect for local customs.

Reviving an Ancient Art

The idea for the festival was born during the Covid-19 pandemic when Row helped build an online community of storytellers. He believes storytelling was fading but insists this event was not just a revival but a resuscitation of the art.

Through this record-breaking achievement, Row and his fellow storytellers have proven that storytelling remains a powerful and cherished tradition, capable of uniting people across cultures and generations.