“If we feel lost at any time in our lives, maybe stories are a way to find ourselves again.”

At De Voorkamer, people from different corners of the world gathered to share their rich oral traditions. Through this, we discovered surprising overlaps in our mythologies, particularly those tied to nature.

In collaboration with Anas, our storyteller, and Carol, whose vast knowledge shaped the workshop, we crafted a three-part experience. It began with a guided story by Sarah into our 'Imaginary Green Oasis,' a mystical place symbolized by objects. Each participant was asked to pick an object and got an explanation of this green oasis and the meaning of each object.

"This green oasis, you are sitting in, is a hidden paradise.

At the centre of which,

stands the Tree of Life,

It's roots deep in the earth, connecting the worlds above and below,

Its branches reaching towards the skies,

The leaves whispering stories of the ancients.

Beneath the ground lies the kingdom of the snakes,

guardians of ancient knowledge,

A world hidden in the cool, dark soil.

Weaving through the roots.

When you look high above over the top branches of the tree,

Anqa the bird spreads her wings,

Her feathers glowing with the light of the sun.

She guides the light of the sun, as day turns to night.

The sun sets into the rivers of the green oasis.

The crocodile being the protector of the rivers.

This oasis is a place where you can dream,

imagine and gather.

A path of seashells appears through the oasis,

Guiding the tired travellers to rest.

Each step a promise of comfort.

Right foot first to protect you from any harm."

Next, participants engaged with 120 cards containing words linked to nature and mythology. These words served as prompts, sparking memories and associations that we then shared. We continued this exploration with a new set of cards, featuring images of plants and animals, leading to further discussions about cultural beliefs.

In the final part of the workshop, we reflected on the beliefs we still hold and the role of storytelling in understanding our lives. We found common ground across our diverse cultures and discussed the relevance of these oral traditions today.

The three hours were an insightful and enriching experience of curious participants from various cultures coming together, to continue our oral traditions of sharing mythological tales and beliefs, embedded in nature. Together, we discussed sacred plants and animals, stories related to human relationships with nature, and crossovers between different cultural mythologies.

The workshop concluded with a shared sense of curiosity and a desire to continue exploring these themes. Together with Anas and Carol, we are now planning the next steps for future workshops, eager to dive deeper into this collective journey of storytelling.