Thousands of readers were able to experience the novelty of reading stories from a subsection of people they previously couldn’t. While storytellers who couldn’t write experienced the feeling of becoming authors and reaching thousands through their stories, which deeply impacted their lives.

Bidyanondo provided a new experience through The Unwritten Stories, and created a window into the richness of Bangladesh’s culture.

The project introduces a platform that continually increases brand engagement with its audience through publishing.

24% of Bangladesh’s population can’t read or write. But there are marvelous storytellers among them who share stories by orally. These stories are deeply rooted into our culture. When these people pass away, not only the stories but a part of our culture continues to be lost. Many educated writers plagiarize, steal, and claim these stories as their own because they rarely find publication. The original storytellers receive no credit, payment, or acknowledgement in return.

• Brief

Bidyanondo Foundation aims to inspire and increase compassion to aid the disadvantaged in Bangladesh.

Being part of the foundation, Bidyanondo Publication has always provided opportunities to young unpublished authors. But this year they wanted to showcase people who weren't even supposed to write stories.

• Objectives

The objectives were to provide preserve stories that are being lost, create a platform for storytellers who can't write, and showcase new stories to readers.

The Unwritten Stories is a platform to turn people who can’t read or write into published authors.

The primary target audience comprised readers who are looking for new and interesting stories, as well as storytellers who can't publish their stories due to being unable to read or write. Hence, we created the platform, The Unwritten Stories.

Most publishers tend to feature renowned authors. But Bidyanondo Publication wanted to bring to light people who had never published before. The strategy took it a step further by collecting stories from people that no one expected to be published - the ones who can't read or write. Going against the current not only made them stand out, but impacted these storytellers and the readers in a truly heartfelt manner.

The curiosity of the readers made them buy the book, read it and recommend it to others once they liked it. Leading to books being stocked out in 2 days.

We formed a team of writers and volunteers to collect stories from the population who can’t read or write from every corner of Bangladesh. After which we selected 12 stories for this year’s book. The book was even designed with the thumbprint of an individual who can’t read or write. Even the title was drawn with a visual reference of the text by someone who can’t write.

• Timeline

February 1, 2023 to March 9, 2023

• Placement

The largest book fair of the country, Ekushey Boi Mela.

• Scale

A platform that can be scaled and sustained by publishing anthologies. This was a countrywide campaign that utilized the cultural insight of storytellers who can’t read or write but share their stories orally. The stories were collected from all over the country and awareness of the book was also raised on a national level.

Due respect, renumeration, and credit was provided to the original storytellers.

A platform was created to annually publish stories of those who can't write.

Stories and parts of Bangladesh's culture continues to be preserved.

Immense popularity across social media.

Covered by most national media outlets.

500 stories collected from all over the country.

Books stocked out in 2 days.

11,005 copies sold.

Reached 14,543,289 people on Facebook

Engaged 787,959 people on Facebook

PR Value 100,000 USD

24% of Bangladesh’s population can’t read or write. But there are marvelous storytellers among them who share stories orally. Orated under trees in villages, by the elderly for bedtime stories, shared around tea stalls or other public places, these stories are deeply rooted into our culture. With unique figures and characters from folktales, local myths and even fictionalized accounts of renowned historical figures, there exists a multifaceted and rich heritage of oral literature in Bangladesh.

When these people pass away, not only the stories but a part of our culture continues to be lost. Several educated writers plagiarize, steal, and claim these stories as their own. Since the original storytellers can’t write, they have no opportunities for publication and receive no credit, payment, or acknowledgement in return.

24% of Bangladesh’s population can’t read or write. But there are marvelous storytellers among them who share stories orally. Orated under trees in villages, by the elderly for bedtime stories, shared around tea stalls or other public places, these stories are deeply rooted into our culture. With unique figures and characters from folktales, local myths and even fictionalized accounts of renowned historical figures, there exists a multifaceted and rich heritage of oral literature in Bangladesh.

When these people pass away, not only the stories but a part of our culture continues to be lost. Several educated writers plagiarize, steal, and claim these stories as their own. Since the original storytellers can’t write, they have no opportunities for publication and receive no credit, payment, or acknowledgement in return.