Yearning

Why am I blogging about “Story Slams & Traditional Storytelling – Bridging the Distance”-?

Why did I pass up a fantastic, extolled-by-everyone-who-went-to-it, original performance of traditional fairy tales by storyteller Janice Del Negro at last weekend’s Northlands Storytelling Conference, in favor of going to the concurrent story slam at the conference?

Why do I keep going to story slams, even though my experience so far shows me that, while there’s some fun to be had, I do not find them as enjoyable or enriching as other more traditional storytelling, generally?

Because I am yearning to learn and expand, and bridge the distance…

I see people embracing a kind of oral storytelling performance on stage at the story slams, and I yearn to

• expose them to,
• introduce them to,
• teach them about,
• offer to them,
• invite them into,
• enable them to experience

– the depth and delight and richness of the vast array of traditional storytelling, the stories and myths and narratives that have shaped human experience and meaning for time beyond measure.

The stories that teach us to discern and make meaning in the here and now, by connecting us to the wisdom of the once upon a time.

I yearn to share the riches.

I yearn to bridge the distance.  (Hence the picture of me pointing to the Sydney Harbour Bridge…and why not?…!)

I’ll keep going to story slams and learning.

Thanks for reading – Pam