Gender Transcending- Workshop Five- Queering Our Story

5. Queering our own Story

The fifth workshop will continue the idea of queering fairy stories and Inthe fifth workshop, we will build upon the theme of queering fairy tales and their retellings. The act of retelling and queering fairy tales is not just a creative exercise but a crucial aspect of storytelling and heritage creation. These stories have been integral to shaping our cultural heritage, imparting morals, traditions, and concepts of good and bad from a young age. However, as society evolves, so too must these narratives to remain relevant and inclusive.

Throughout history, fairy tales have undergone numerous adaptations and reinterpretations. In this workshop, we will explore how these tales can be queered—how we can insert diverse identities and perspectives into their narratives. By doing so, we aim to challenge and expand traditional notions of heritage and social narratives.

Marina Warner’s insights, as well as works by other literary figures such as Angela Carter and Aidan Thomas, will guide our exploration. Warner’s exploration of fairy tales in From the Beast to the Blonde offers a profound examination of how these stories reflect and shape cultural norms. By analysing and queering these narratives, we can uncover hidden meanings and reinterpretations that resonate with contemporary audiences.

Participants will be encouraged to retell and reimagine fairy tales through a queer lens, exploring themes of identity, representation, and empowerment. This creative process allows for personal and collective storytelling that reflects diverse experiences and challenges stereotypical portrayals in traditional tales.

By queering our own stories, we not only reclaim narratives that have historically excluded or misrepresented queer identities but also enrich our understanding of heritage in a modern context. This workshop aims to foster a deeper appreciation for storytelling as a tool for social change and inclusion, ensuring that heritage continues to evolve alongside societal values.

Throughout the workshop, participants will be encouraged to engage actively with these narratives, drawing inspiration from diverse perspectives and reinterpretations. By queering fairy tales, participants will explore their own identities and experiences, translating personal insights into creative expressions.

The process of retelling and reimagining these tales through a queer lens will spark innovative approaches to storytelling. Participants will experiment with different narrative structures, character developments, and symbolic meanings, challenging themselves to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling conventions.

Artistic responses will also play a crucial role, as participants translate their reinterpretations into visual representations that capture the essence of their queered narratives. This visual storytelling will further enrich the collective exploration of heritage and folklore, offering new ways to interpret and appreciate cultural narratives.

Ultimately, the workshop aims to inspire participants to see themselves as active creators of culture and heritage. By empowering them to reshape and reclaim narratives through creative expression, we foster a deeper connection to their own identities and communities. Through this process, participants contribute to a more inclusive cultural landscape that honours the diversity and complexity of human experience.