Year 2024
On Saturday, 2 November 2024, the Arquivo Regional e Biblioteca Pública da Madeira, in collaboration with Madeira Friends, welcomed more than 30 families to their second English storytelling event. This edition featured the beloved children’s book Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and offered children a lively mix of storytelling and creative colouring activities.
The initiative is part of a growing effort to foster deeper connections in Madeira’s increasingly multicultural landscape. Madeira Friends — a non-profit association focused on integrating and connecting locals and internationals through meaningful, community-driven events — sees storytelling as a powerful way to bridge cultures and generations.
This latest session drew a diverse mix of attendees, including a rising number of local Portuguese families, reflecting the island’s evolving demographic and the increasing demand for bilingual events. As families continue to relocate to Madeira from around the world, initiatives like this are becoming essential for community cohesion.
“Events like this storytelling session give children the chance to practice both English and Portuguese, strengthening community bonds. It’s great to see Madeira grow as a hub of multiculturalism,” said one of the co-founders of Madeira Friends. “Seeing families from different backgrounds coming together, and the library so warmly welcoming them, shows the community spirit we’re building together.”
The session was led by Fátima Peti, known for her warm and engaging storytelling style. Coming from a multicultural background herself, she highlighted how crucial it is to embrace the diversity already present on the island. “These types of initiatives are not only fun — they’re essential for shaping the inclusive future of Madeira,” she noted.
Parents in attendance echoed that sentiment. One shared, “It’s wonderful to have opportunities where our children can interact, learn, and grow in a bilingual environment. It helps them feel part of a bigger community, which is so important for their development.”
Others reflected on the importance of shared cultural experiences in creating a more inclusive Madeira — one where international and local families alike feel seen, welcomed, and connected.
With the continued success of these storytelling sessions, Madeira Friends and the Regional Archives and Library are helping plant the seeds of a more integrated, multilingual, and community-focused island — one story at a time.