Are an intertwined part of my project Villi Akka, in which I created  a character based on the wise & wild women archetypes and the representation of women and other non-male characters inside tales, oral stories and written tradition.

What happens there?

We share the tales myths that  affected us when growing up and/or stayed with us as adults.  Trying to  look at them from an intersectional feminist* lens we exam our connection with them and their symbology, and finally we create our own narratives using the character Villi Akka as a secondary role to support our stories.
_{(Narratives means stories which are usually written but can be in other formats such as oral, musical,performative, etc.)}

By doing so we strive for:

• Exploring our own mythology in different contexts
• Creating a free space of sharing and norm-critical thinking
• Nurturing a space for creation 
• Support each other to identify oppressive narratives
• Building an empowering and supportive ecosystem
• Enjoy and get inspired

How?

Unless explicitly said we always follow the periodicity principle, with a minimum of 4 group sessions.
The group stays together for the complete workshop edition, so you are always with the same people.
I call "circles" the different modules of the workshop, circles are segments, not necessarily days, and the general structure of the workshops is as follows:

• First circle: Introducing ourselves and sharing our learned tales/stories/myths, we examine its meaning, symbology, cultural context and our connection with them and how they influence us (or have had) in modern life’s situations. Each participant can choose a reading from the library to take with.

• Second circle:  We share and examine the tales we rook home and discuss how their perspective affects us vs the first session's shared tales. Support materials are available, and critical and non-conforming perspectives are encouraged.

• Third circle:  We start creating our own narratives! Individual creation can be sparked by artistic group exercises; artful play helps to retain in the conscious memory the development of our thoughts by connecting experience, body and mind. Practical tips and tools for writing are also shared.

• Forth circle: Editing our stories. We share our process and narratives, peer support, tips and optionally connecting plots of each participant and their views. 

• Optional fifth circle: Support, editing and accountability for those interested.

• Seventh circle: Celebration. We will share and enjoy, together and with others (depending on the group’ needs and desires) the results of the workshops. 

• Cost: The workshops are always free for the participants. 
• Atendance: There is no possibility of taking individual days. We pay respect to each other time and commit to attending the circles. 
• Priority groups:When enrolling, I prioritize those identifying as women and/or non-binary, followed by non-cis people. 
• Language: The workshops are facilitated in the English language. Which often is nobody's mother tongue. If/when writing English is most welcome, but if it doesn't work for you, that's fine! You can write in your preferred language and get us through it in English to the best of your abilities.
• Guidelines: We start by creating together our own safer space rules. 
• Privacy: We fully listen to each other without taking their names and stories outside the circle.
• No-go: No hate speech or discriminatory behavior is welcome.
• Intersectional feminism is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw: “It’s basically a lens, a prism, for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other.“ Taking an intersectional approach means looking beyond a person’s individual identities and focusing on the points of intersection that their multiple identities create, e.g. diversity of gender identities and expressions, ethnic background, skin colour, language, health condition, sexual orientation, abilities, size, religious, class, the educational background to mention just a few.
• Any question? don’t be shy please, ask :)