Storytelling in a conflicted world

Lauren Bianchi, storyteller | Daiva Ivanuskaite, storyteller | Arjen Barel, founder and director of Amsterdam Storytelling Centre

We seem to live in more and more polarized societies. From the reds and blues in the US to leavers and remainers in the UK, we seem to be constantly in disagreement. The recent and current influx of refugees is also a polarising political football. Meanwhile, we often seem to forget what it is to talk with and hear each other’s stories. Rather, we talk about the other, alienting him/her/them to secure our own identity. In this workshop, you will first hear about and discuss the Village Storytelling Centre’s Voices of Peace refugee project (performance 7th July, 7.30pm). Arjen Barel will then underline the urgency of sharing stories in a society in which polarization is on the rise, diving deeper in intrinsic power of stories (personal and folk- and fairy tales). Together you will study the principles that can lead to polarization and look for opportunities to transform this dynamic, using stories. If you hold a full festival pass, you may attend this workshop without additional charge, but you YOU MUST book a ticket as places are extremely limited.

Part of Village Storytelling Festival 2022