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Beautiful Learning: Oral Thought and Culture-Making
July 30, 2021 @ 7:30 pm—July 31, 2021 @ 5:00 pm
£150
| Non residential: July 30th/31st. We could be living in a world of new opportunities. During this enforced hiatus of the everyday, what, amongst all that fell away, are the threads you want to deepen into? What has value? Over the gathering, we will move between mythic and personal narratives, and the teeming creel of associations we have with that big word Storyteller. Expect ancient folktales, roving conversation, and plenty to unpack in your soul for the weeks that follow. This is a moment to take stock, and to assess the curvature of a world you’d love to serve. Martin will be working into Celtic stories and philosophy as the main meal of the day, to include a rare telling of the Invasion Tales of Erin and the Arrival of the Tuatha De Danann, attempted only twice before. This is a non-residential course, with an evening session on Friday July 30th and an all-day session on Saturday July 31st. In preparation he asks you to think of a short family story that has intrigued or baffled you over the years, something with a little magic in it. This will be held in a discussion with a small group rather than anything too public or performative. Martin will also talk about his recent work editing an anthology of the Irish philosopher John Moriarty, and recommends pre-ordering the book (out June 1st) here. Preparatory reading suggested: Marie Heaney Over Nine Waves, John Moriarty Dreamtime, Manchan Magan Thirty Two Words for Field , Martin Shaw & Tony Hoagland Cinderbiter. It might also be very useful to dip into some stories that speak to your ancestry, wherever that may be. This isn’t to stir up nationalism, simply to get a sense of a little of the ground you stand upon. Stories of migration are just as vital as stories of place. It won’t be possible to join this event remotely but there are plans to audio record it for release later in the year.
To book a place, click here. |