STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

Hola', Ya'at'eeh, Konnichiwa, Bienvenidos!

I look forward to this storytelling festival like a child with a piece of hershey chocolate candy just waiting to be eaten!

I have taken pictures of each of  you and some of the events experienced to share with others. I can look at these moments captured in time and relive the sense of community that was created here this weekend.

Riding with Joe Hayes in the little go cart yesterday as children were running along side him added to their communal stories that day. Building a sense of community, as we sit looking and laughing with those around us-sometimes strangers more than friends, binds us through stories. Living in Fiction is what Bill Lepp reminds us of in the stories he masterfully weaves about preserving history of people, places and events.

"Know from whence you came. If you know from whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go" James Baldwin wrote. Kim Weitkamp's Wrinkles Project uses memory mapping the history of our lives to learn how to cope in the present and to use stories as a tool for healing.

Tim Tingle, is a jokester as well as a storyteller, author and presenter. Tim reminds me of words from Francis Bacon: "Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not: and a sense of humor to console him for what he is." May you keep reminding us through your creative, easy going style as we laugh along with you in agreement!

Finally, stories are a technology. They are extensions of ourselves of who we are, are becoming and a tool for meaning-making  and  meaning-taking. It is the most sophisticated technology we as humans use. As Benjamin Whorf said, 'Language is the greatest show we put on'. We thank all the masterful storytellers for their grand show and their gifts of stories they have planted in our hearts' experiences.

In closing: two quotes by Daisaku Ikeda & Nichiren Daishonin

"Intelligent & kind people are beautiful. They inspire trust and a sense of reassurance in those around them;" & "treasures of the heart of the most valuable of all."

We thank you for your gift of stories. Thank you!

Dōmo arigatō. Muchas Gracias. Hagohone.