We are building a network of storygardens around the world where people can book a vacation, spend time in rest and recuperation, come to learn and create – or simply just enjoy open space. These gardens are for 'empty days' (dies vacantes) and for 'busi-ness days'.
These storygardens are often private gardens with accommodation and an emphasis on convivial spaces for conversation.
Why storytelling?
What we do and how we feel is a result of the stories we tell ourselves. Through the art of storytelling we are able to better understand ourselves and our purpose in the communities, organisations and businesses to which we belong. ...more
Why the garden?
People enjoy just about everything much more when they are surrounded by beauty and nature. It is easier to relax when you are in lovely surroundings and therefore easier to learn and remember.
The garden has such importance for us, both literal and analogical: The Garden of Eden, Paradise (Persian, Pairi-dae'-za), Arcadia , Hesperides, the Zen garden; these are symbols of Man's search for peace and unity and a longing for a return to unity. ...more
What is the link between storytelling and gardens?
Gardens represent cultivation and wilderness, containment and exploration, wholeness and separation. They are at the same time open and protected spaces and they contain unknown possibility with an invitation to explore or to simply watch what emerges from the space.
There are many examples of stories, ancient and modern, that take place in a garden and which rely on the symbolism of the garden to convey their meaning. The most notable of which is the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden which deals with the themes of wholeness, separation and the quest to return.
Storygardeners ...more
...what is our underlying philosphy behind the storygarden?
...what are the tales and songlines witnessed in the garden?
Examples
Rapunzel (1812 Brothers Grimm )
Peter Pan (1902 J. M. Barrie) the first Peter Pan story was entitled Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
The Secret Garden (1909 Frances Hodgson Burnett)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902 Beatrix Potter)
The Flowerpot Men (Circa 1952 Hilda Brabban)
Roman de la Rose (circa 1230 Guillaume de Lorris and circa 1275 Jean de Meun )
The Snow Queen (1845 Hans Christian Andersen)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865 Lewis Carroll)