Since 2004 a growing collection of primary schools have benefited from an introduction to Mozambican culture via storytelling from Celso Paco.
Celso uses a wide variety of musical instruments rooted in Mozambican culture and tells stories about Mozambican history. He is very skilled at encouraging the children to respond to the themes he presents. Belinda Wallace, a teacher at Colston primary school, explained how Celso has always achieved “fantastic engagement from the children” with an “inspiring use of story and music together”.
Amanda Davies, another teacher at Colston primary school, said that Celso’s visit “provoked discussion of Mozambique in the classes surrounding Celso’s own storytelling”.
Celso has described how the children give him a very warm welcome, “especially those who are familiar with my regular visit” he explained.
One of the great strengths of his involvement with the seven schools he has visited this year is the relationship he has developed with both children and staff over the past six years of visits to Bristol.