Civilnet
By Angela Hassassian
Armenia’s Lori region, known for its lush nature, breathtaking views of the Debed River Valley, deep gorges, and green forests, is also the birthplace of Armenian poet, author, and public activist Hovhannes Tumanyan.
As a place, Lori had a significant impact on Tumanyan’s work and inspiration.
“My mother was born and raised in the mountains, she was a daughter of the mountains,” the poet wrote in his autobiography.
This coming weekend, Lori’s Tumanyan Village will be the gathering place of storytellers, writers, and artists. The Tumanyan International Storytelling Festival, set for August 25 and 27 will be a celebration of the timeless art of storytelling in all its forms – from music, poetry, and art to the written word and beyond.
The festival was born from the creative minds of three close friends - Anoush Tatevossian, Nyree Abrahamian, and Tina Yesayan. At the heart of this year's festival lies a theme - PLACE.
“We are inviting people to share and listen to stories in a place that inspired Tumanyan, to connect to the deeply rooted history of the place, and to share their own stories of place — whether real or fiction, near or far,” said Yesayan.
The small town of Tumanyan, which has become an inspiration for storytellers and artists of all kinds, has recently become a place of refuge for participants of the Abastan project. What started as an initiative for Russian migrants became a community of international artists embracing artists from Armenia, Iran, and more.
Abastan is a community project run by artists, cultural practitioners and volunteers united by common values. They are revitalizing the building of a former textile factory in the town creating a space where they can live, create, and watch their artistic projects take flight.
Many of these artists attended various performances that took place in Tumanyan during the festival last year. Meanwhile, other attendees from Yerevan learned about Abastan and decided to try their hand at joining the project themselves.
ALSO WATCH: Russian and Iranian artists find community in a remote Armenian town
“Last year, we were blown away by the sense of community that developed during the festival,” said Abrahamian, “and this year, we want to build on that. Stories bring us together. They help us see the commonality of human experience.”
From a captivating musical performance by Shushiki Band to personal storytelling workshops and immersive art activities, the festival weaves a vibrant tapestry that represents the magic of storytelling. From a crash course on visual storytelling to interactive musical performances, and conversations with documentary directors, this year, artists, both local and international, will come together to share their unique tales through spoken word, music, and visual expressions.
Here, storytelling goes beyond entertainment and serves as an outlet for expression, an important means of sharing one's truth and experience.
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In the context of war and history, where narratives are often skewed, storytelling becomes an act of defiance, reclaiming the untold and offering a fresh lens.
“I hope that the diverse range of stories shared at this year’s festival will awaken people’s imaginations and their compassion,” said Abrahamian, adding, “I want them to leave with a heightened sense of curiosity about the world around them, and a deeper appreciation for the power of their own stories.”
Raphael Rodan, a storytelling coach and co-artistic director of the Amsterdam Storytelling Festival, who will delve into the transformative nature of personal accounts in a 3-day workshop, also recognizes storytelling as a powerful tool for self-discovery.
“When a storyteller crafts a story,” he said, “they are deepening their understanding of what they are and what they are not.”
Just as the beautiful landscapes of Lori inspired Hovhannes Tumanyan’s timeless tales, the organizers of this festival hope that artists will get inspired by listening to each other’s voices and embracing the enduring magic of storytelling.
More information about the festival can be found here.
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