Anchored in tradition, reaching toward forever
In Nova Scotia, storytelling is as much a part of life as the salt air and the sound of the waves. It’s not just something people do—it’s who they are. Whether it’s a nickname shared at the family table or a tale told by the bonfire, stories have always been a way of connecting, remembering, and belonging. But in a world where stories now live online as much as in the moment, the question arises: Is something being lost, or are new ways being created to hold on?
The beauty of a story lies in its ability to live on. Once told, it weaves its way into memory, carried by those who hear it. Digital media has created a unique extension of this magic. A shared video, a captioned photo, or even a tweet may seem fleeting, but they carry stories across distances and through time, creating something close to permanence. According to a study from Stanford University, digital storytelling has proven to preserve cultural and personal narratives, enhancing both the accessibility of stories and the bonds they create in communities.
Picture a kitchen party on the shore, where fiddles play and laughter flows. Twenty years ago, that memory lived in the hearts of those present. Today, a video of that same moment can be shared with relatives across the globe or replayed by those who were there, allowing them to relive it like a favourite chapter in a book.
Digital storytelling comes with a gift: reach. It shares the heart of Nova Scotia’s traditions with the world, connecting this place to people who may never have set foot here. But something is also risked: the texture. The leaning-in, the sparkle in the teller’s eye, the rhythm of a voice. Stories online can sometimes feel polished but distant, losing the heartbeat that makes them unforgettable.
Even so, digital stories bring their own kind of magic. They amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard and provide a permanence that even memory can’t match. Nicknames spoken in a Maritime kitchen may one day fade from living memory—but a photo captioned with “Banty Rooster,” “Fiddler MacDonald,” or “PJ” can live on, preserving the humor and humanity of the people who carried those names.
At Salty Poet, the belief runs deep that stories are more than moments—tying people to the past and carrying them into the future. Whether told face-to-face or shared online, they hold the warmth, humour, and grit of Nova Scotia’s identity. Each story deserves to be told, with a little salt and a lot of
heart.
Learn more about Salty Poet at:
saltypoet.com