Peter Chand, a preeminent storyteller from Europe who is best known for his stories from the Indian subcontinent, and Vijai Nathan, a celebrated Indian American comedienne, will headline this year’s Storytelling Festival and Conference in New London.

This 43rd annual event from the Connecticut Storytelling Center runs Friday and Saturday in a trio of locations in the Whaling City: All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the Thames Club, and the Public Library of New London.

The Connecticut Storytelling Festival Cabaret is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at All Souls, 19 Jay St., New London. Admission is $25. It features wine, cheese and stories by storytellers including Chand and Nathan, followed by an open mic.

Saturday brings the Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Different sessions vary in cost. An example: The Saturday night performance by Chand and Nathan, which is 7:30-9 p.m. and in which Nathan presents “Good Girls Don’t, but Indian Girls Do,” is $25 for adults, $12.50 for students.

Two students — Henry Brown of Norwich Free Academy and Jaxson Bones of the Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London — will perform as part of the 11 a.m. Saturday session at All Souls.

There’s a lot more going on at the festival, too; visit connstorycenter.org for a complete schedule.

Executive Director Ann Shapiro said in a statement, “From traditional tales from India to modern day immigration stories, from portrayals of historical characters to New England legends, and personal narratives that will open our hearts, this festival will expose listeners to the breadth of what the spoken word has to offer.”

Awards will be presented as well, with the Kate McClelland Librarian Award going to Madhu Gupta, director of the Public Library of New London; the Peg O’Sullivan Volunteer Award will be presented to Waterford resident Ann Johnson, who has served on the festival planning committee for many years; the Barbara L. Reed Award to Sheila Arnold, and the Spencer Shaw Educator’s Award to Darlene Kascak.