Storygami
The "Storygami" project is a long-term training course that combines the art of storytelling with origami to empower youth workers with innovative tools for community engagement and education. Participants explored the importance and various components of storytelling, discovering origami's fascinating influence on architecture, medicine, psychiatry, product design, fashion design, space, and education. The training included hands-on sessions in origami folding techniques and fictional writing, blending art and narrative to foster imagination and skill. Participants delved into personal story development, crafting narratives that resonate with their experiences and perspectives, and explored performing techniques including voice modulation, mimics, and movement to enhance their storytelling abilities. The course concluded with participants presenting their learning to the local community and planning follow-up activities to implement in their own communities.
Location
Yerevan, Armenia
Duration
July - August 2024
Focus Areas
Storytelling, origami, creative arts, performing techniques, community engagement, youth work methodologies
Funding Program
Erasmus+, Anefore
Key Activities
World Café on storytelling, origami workshops, fictional writing sessions, performing techniques training, living library with local students, Neurographics method introduction
Key Activities & Learning
Storytelling and Origami Integration
We kicked off the day with a World Café activity, discussing the importance and various components of storytelling. Participants then tried their hands at origami, discovering its fascinating influence on architecture, medicine, psychiatry, product design, fashion design, space, and education. The important and fun insights are given by the invited trainer Osama Helmy - OzOz, the head of the Arab Origami Center. The third working day continued with hands-on sessions in origami folding techniques and fictional writing, blending art and narrative to foster imagination and skill.
Creative Workshops and Skill Development
Participants took part in a workshop on recycling in creative ways, transforming everyday materials into artistic expressions. They also delved into personal story development, crafting narratives that resonate with their experiences and perspectives. We explored performing techniques, including voice modulation, mimics, and movement. These sessions helped participants enhance their storytelling abilities, adding depth and expression to their narratives.
Cultural and Historical Exploration
In the afternoon, we ventured into Armenia's rich history with visits to the Garni Pagan Temple from the first century and the Geghard Rock-Cut Monastery. Experiencing these incredible historical sites firsthand was both educational and inspiring for everyone. They also had the chance to visit the Sardarapat cultural-historical monument, enriching their experience even further.
Community Engagement and Knowledge Exchange
Participants had the opportunity to present the results of their learning to the local community and began planning activities they'll implement in their own communities after the project. In Armavir city, they visited the office of our hosting organization, Armavir Development Center, and shared the origami stories they created with students from the Armavir State College of Art. This event was structured as a living library, integrating the performing techniques they learned throughout the course. The open space activity was a highlight, with participants conducting parallel short sessions to teach and learn skills from one another, all related to our project topics.
Neurographics and Follow-up Planning
A special guest, psychology expert Anahit Matinyan, introduced the participants to Neurographics - a method for fostering positive change in communities. With this new knowledge, participants combined all the techniques and skills acquired during the training and crafted plans to use them in their follow-up activities back home.
Outcomes & Impact
Comprehensive Youth Work Toolbox
The first training phase of the Storygami project concluded with evaluation activities where participants reflected on their journey, said their goodbyes with warm memories, and left with a comprehensive toolbox of youth workers' techniques and activities.
Enhanced Storytelling and Performance Skills
Participants delved into personal story development, crafting narratives that resonate with their experiences and perspectives. We explored performing techniques, including voice modulation, mimics, and movement. These sessions helped participants enhance their storytelling abilities, adding depth and expression to their narratives.
Community Impact and Follow-up Activities
Participants had the opportunity to present the results of their learning to the local community and began planning activities they'll implement in their own communities after the project. With this new knowledge, participants combined all the techniques and skills acquired during the training and crafted plans to use them in their follow-up activities back home.Retry
