The man who learned the languages of the animals and birds
Stories along the Silk Road with Canadian storyteller/researcher
Kira Van Deusen
Kira Van Deusen is a professional storyteller and cellist based in Vancouver. For more than twenty years she has delighted listeners in Canada, the US and Europe with adventures in worlds we do not see with the eye, accompanied by her evocative music. From 1992-2005 she traveled frequently in Siberia and the Russian Far East recording tales from elders. She became fascinated by the revival of shamanism going on in those years, and by the ways oral storytelling and shamanic practice intersect and yet remain distinct. She has written several books on these subjects. For the last few years she has immersed herself in Persian culture and visited Iran is studying Farsi and learning stories. Her website: www.kiravan.com
In ancient times people and animals are said to have understood each other's speech. Some still do!
Our guest will tell two versions - one from south Siberia and the other from Persia. Both are lively and thought-provoking. The two versions (and others that you may bring!) also have many details in common. All of which reflects the complexities of the Silk Road. In the words of the snake, "One who knows many languages does not find it easy to live!" We can discuss differences that arise between shamanic and Islamic cultures, between hunting and agricultural societies, between a gift from a multi-colored flying snake and one from the wise Solomon.
The event will take place at SRH on Sunday (sic!) February 3, at 1-3pm.
Silk Road House, 1944 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705 (between Milvia & Martin Luther King; enter by side door in passageway under black Zabu Zabu awning); e-mail: silkroadhouse@yahoo.com; website: www.silkroadhouse.org; tel.: 510-981-0700.
Silk Road House events are sponsored by the Silkroad Foundation.
