Workshops, Presentations, Round Table Talks and Storytellingat the 4th International meeting 12th-14th January 2018 in

Zagreb/Croatia

Ivanir Sibylla Hasson: Storytelling and personal objectsEnglishSaturday 10.15 am – 1.15 pm + 3.00-6.00 pm

“In this 6 hours workshop we will explore storytelling from the relation on personalobjects. We often think of personal objects as something we need, some aesthetic,necessities or something we have just for fun. But the personal objects arecompanions in our emotion, they serve to express dynamic processes within us,among us, and between us and our surroundings. The objects are part of ourbiography. Personal objects may be lost, but even lost objects have strength andpower, and as they are remembered, they carry stories with them, these stories canstill be told and listened to. Personal objects, whether they are lost or still belongingto the owner, contain memories and legacy. They are connected to deep feelings.These stories can go all the way into the core of man. This work has used as part oflanguage training in work with refugees.”

Gauri Raje: Stories of the Stranger and Self – The Place of Witnessing in StorytellingEnglishSaturday 10.15 am – 1.15 pm + 3.00-6.00 pm

„In this 6 hours workshop, we will look at the place and meaning of witnessing in storytelling. What is the relationship between the self and story? In a world where there is so much conflict and dislocation, where does witnessing in a story happen? How can the storyteller be a witness and teller at the same time?This is a workshop for exploration and reflection. Everyone is welcome, with or without the experience of storytelling.“

Micaela Sauber and Brita WilmsmeierStorytelling in emergency pedagogy and storytelling for children and youth with focus on dealing with traumaEnglishSaturday 10.15 am-1.15 pm + 3.00-6.00 pm

„In recent years the matter of trauma caused by war and migration has engaged many people, and moved them to take action for people who need help to turn post traumatic stress into post traumatic growth. Storytelling encompasses a variety of possibilities and also enables to intensively work and share experiences with people in need.Through an aesthetic-artistic approach storytelling holds an integrative potential and, thanks to the healing and intercultural nature of stories, it can open hearts and facilitate an genuine dialogue. In this 6 hours workshop we will share experiences from our work as well as practical tools, stories and background about the impact of trauma to body, soul and spirit.“

Maria Serrano:Mare Nostrum - Seeing the other, seeing oneselfEnglish and (on demand) SpanishSunday 10.15 am - 1.15 pm

„This is a workshop that explores cultures and languages meeting in stories. How can we use stories to create spaces where different cultures can meet? How can wesail along with a variety of languages in stories? How can we make our words come through? How can we tell stories that integrate the listeners? How can we open up to what we normally turn our back to? We will work with stories from the Mediterranean. We will explore, improvise and share experiences. Do join us on this adventure!“

Jasna Held:Traditional tales from Adriatic sea to DanubeSunday 10.15-2.25 pmStories where the East meet the West We shall discover differences and similarities with mid European stories and secrets within simplicity and richness behind the words of those tales.

Marianne Vier presents her work:Oasis in the Sea of ForgettingStorytelling for those who are suffering from dementiaSaturday 8 pm

Only when I am in my own presence, in my own silence and center and if I feel the story in my heart I can reach my listeners who are emotionally totally competently. We sing and laugh, we despair together, we are touched until we cry and we are learning together. My life is rich through my storytelling for people with dementia.

Alexandra Eyrich presents her work:"…and was deeply asleep"The possibilities of a fairy tale pedagogy in the care of dying and mourning peopleSaturday 8.20 pmTraditional tales, so called fairy tales, are tales of transformation and change. Such processes belong to life and death and cannot be separated from them. The jump into the well, the darkness in the wolfs belly, a hedge of thornes are images of dying, death and mourning. Alexandra offers new aspects through the symbolism of traditional fairy tales and a first approach to the themes around death and mourning.

Round table talk – Moderation Maria Serrano Saturday 8.40 pm – 9.15 pm

ShonaleighSaturday 9.15 pm – 10 pmShonaleigh is a drut’syla (storyteller) from Yiddish oral tradition. She apprenticed herself in childhood toher grandmother and learned the family tradition of 3000+ interlinked stories. She will present us a choice of her wisdom and wonder.

Dorothee Greve and Ifor RhysSunday 9:30 - 10.00 am

Teaching stories are found in all traditions Vedanta, Buddhism, Zen, Hasidic, Christian but especially the Sufi tradition, in which large bodies of instructional material have been preserved and are still used. More than simply instructional or parables or folk wisdom they are far more sophisticated instruments than most people imagine. Dorothee and Ifor hope to bring a flavour of this quality for you in their short talk.

Alexander Mackenzie will present his picture book „Humbert Bear likes to doze“. Sunday 6.00-7.30 pmHe wrote a story and disigned pictures for children in hospices. „The book is dedicated to all the children’s hospices that provide a loving and safe landing for children coming to the close of their short lives. It is in recognition of the endless love of parents and family, the great care of the staff and all the professionals that bring support, kindness and grace to all within these hospices. It is especially for the children of the hospices themselves, who bring so much colour, serenity and bright connection to all they meet on their journey.“