The Forgiveness Project in conversation at home and around the World!
An update on some exciting upcoming events.
Conversations with Shame Symposium and Workshops
In a previous newsletter, we introduced the Conversations with Shame Symposium and Workshops, which will be running from the 7th-10th of April in Sydney, Australia.
We wanted to offer you the chance to view the below message from our Creative Co-Lead, Sandra Barefoot, and RESTORE Facilitator, Ruth Chitty, who will be co-developing and leading this work in Australia:
For more information on the symposium and following workshops, including timings and location, please do take a look at our previous newsletter or follow the link below.
Announcing Mid-West USA Book Tour: Forgiveness: An Exploration
Forgiveness: An Exploration has just been published in the USA. To mark this occasion, Marina Cantacuzino (our Founder and Co-Lead) will be in midwest USA from the 16th to 29th of April, 2024.
Marina will be speaking at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa (April 17th), University Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota (April 21st); St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin (April 25th). She will also participate in book launches at Big Hill Books, Minneapolis (April 28th) to celebrate Independent Booksellers Day.
Our USA exhibition curator, Louisa Hext, has been helping organise this tour. If you have any ideas for extra venues or collaborations in the area please be in touch via louisa@theforgivenessproject.com.
The areas included are: Twin Cities, Minnesota, Decorah, Iowa or Green Bay, Wisconsin areas. We have an interest in bookings in Stillwater, Minnesota, Appleton, Wisconsin and Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Punch at Nottingham Playhouse Cast Announcement!
This week, we are sharing further updates on the World Premier of Punch, written for stage by James Graham as an adaptation of the book Right from Wrong by storyteller Jacob Dunne.
Punch will star Julie Hesmondhalgh as Joan, alongside Tony Hirst as David, and David Shields as Jacob. Other cast members include Shalisha James-Davis as Claire and Emma Pallant as Jacob’s mother, with further casting to be announced.
Broadcaster and Monty Python star Michael Palin will also lead one of two post-performance question and answer sessions, in conversation with Jacob. We are delighted to also collaborate with Jacob to co-deliver two post-show discussions and facilitate some ‘talking circles’ exploring the themes of the play, accompanied by The F Word Exhibition in situ. Do keep an eye on our newsletter for additional information!
For more information, including dates, times and tickets, follow the link below.
The Roots of Wisdom in Dialogue - Northern Ireland
A reflection from our Creative Co-Lead, Sandra Barefoot
“Dialogue starts from the courageous willingness to know and be known. It is the painstaking and persistent effort to remove all obstacles that obscure our common humanity.” - Daisaku Ikeda
“I feel deeply honoured to have spent time at the Corrymela Community in Northern Ireland with Dr Masi Noor, and facilitators Jim O’Neill, David Holloway and Grainne O’Neill of Community Dialogue, where we facilitated an immersive dialogue process exploring Belonging and Reconciliation in small and large groups. This process held the deep roots of wisdom from many incredible people who have been working in Northern Ireland for peace and reconciliation for over 30-40 years.”
Reflection from Ruth Gonslaves Moore – participant of Community Dialogue
This process has affirmed how much the collective we can benefit from the right kind of external stimulus and support. Both Dr. Masi Noor and Sandra Barefoot brought so much richness to the process. Their own informed experiences which have equipped them with a strong ability to tune into what was being said and bring relevant and helpful insights, was really welcomed and commendable.
For the full reflection, visit our blog via the link below.
Moral Maze
This week, two of our storytellers, Figen Murray and Jo Berry, featured on BBC 4’s Moral Maze, hosted by Michael Buerk and his panel.
The topic of debate for this week’s episode was ‘the morality of forgiveness’: Is it ever right to forgive serious crimes?
To listen, head on over to the BBC website via the link below.
Telling Tales at Malvern Festival of Ideas
On 3rd March, Marina spoke at the innovative Malvern Festival of Ideas, which this year had the headline theme of ‘Telling Tales’.
At a time of division and polarization, Marina’s talk centered on the importance of sharing restorative narratives. Restorative – or redemptive - narratives are stories which help shift the focus from despair to hope, from helplessness to finding meaning, or from demonization to understanding. All the stories that The Forgiveness Project collects and shares are restorative narratives.
It was particularly encouraging that one man in the audience stood up to say at the end that several years ago his church had hired The F Word exhibition and that people were still talking about it today!
BBC Radio 4 review: Forgiveness: Stories from the front line
It has been wonderful to read your responses to Series 2 of Forgiveness: Stories from the front line!
Back in the beginning of February, Marina presented five more gripping stories of healing, survival and forgiveness. We are delighted to have received so much positive feedback in wake of the second series, such as Edward Wickham’s review for the Church Times, who states the following:
“It is to the great credit of the presenter and interviewer, Marina Cantacuzino, that these stories come unadorned with portentous commentary.”
To listen back to both Series 1 and 2 of Forgiveness: Stories from the front line, do visit the BBC Radio website via the link below.