IMAGINE! 2025 | Workshop: Telling your Truth

In the organizer's words:

As part of IMAGINE! 2nd International Festival for Narrative Art in Chemnitz, Dresden & Leipzig

Finding your own power in personal stories. A workshop for advanced storytellers.

As storytellers, we carry a deep well of lived experiences within us - but not every story is ready to be told. "Telling Your Truth" is a workshop for experienced storytellers who are ready to explore the powerful and deeply personal narratives that have shaped them.

In this format, we go beyond structure and technique to the heart of storytelling: authenticity. Reflective exercises will help you uncover moments of vulnerability, resilience and transformation in your own life. We explore how you can stay true to your truth while shaping it into a story that touches others - balancing emotional honesty and narrative creation.

Through discussion, pair work and storytelling practice, you will learn how to reach your audience in a way that is both brave and safe for you as a storyteller. Together we will navigate the challenges of personal storytelling. You decide what to share, what to keep private and how to be confident with your words.

In the end, you'll go home with a story that feels completely you - polished, powerful and ready to be told on stage. Get ready to listen carefully, speak boldly and discover the freedom that lies in telling your own truth.

Finding power in personal stories. A workshop for advanced storytellers.

Every storyteller has a deep well of lived experiences, but not every story is ready or easy to tell. Telling Your Truth is an immersive workshop designed for experienced storytellers who are ready to explore the raw, powerful, and deeply personal narratives that shape who they are.

In this session, we'll go beyond structure and technique to work with the heart of storytelling; authenticity. You'll be guided through reflective exercises to uncover moments of vulnerability, resilience, and transformation in your own life. We'll explore how to honor your truth while crafting it into a story that resonates with others, balancing emotional honesty with narrative shape.

Through discussion, pair work, and performance practice, you'll learn how to connect with audiences in a way that is both courageous and safe for you as a teller. Together, we'll navigate the complexities of telling personal stories. You decide what to include, what to protect, and how to stand in your power when you speak.

By the end, you'll leave with a story that feels truly your own polished, potent, and ready to share in performance. Come prepared to listen deeply, speak boldly, and discover the freedom in telling your truth.

Workshop leader: Dee Palanisamy (AU/SG)

Please note:

• Registration for this workshop is only possible via festival@erzaehlraum.de.
• The event will be held in English spoken language. Translation into German is possible.
• Information on the accessibility of the museum can be found at: https://grassi-voelkerkunde.skd.museum/besuch/barrierefreiheit/

Dee Palanisamy (Durgah Devi) is a vibrant storyteller in Melbourne, Australia, drawing on her rich Singaporean-Tamil heritage. Founder of Deelightfultales, she blends ancient wisdom and personal experiences, captivating audiences worldwide.

Dee collaborates with Newport Storytellers and Generation Women Australia, serves as Secretary of the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW), and is soon to be a Director of the Federation of Asian Storytellers (FEAST). She treasures connecting with global communities through shared stories and cultural wisdom. Dee invites listeners to explore the essence of being human through her engaging narratives.

Dee Palanisamy (Durgah Devi) is a spirited storyteller from Melbourne, Australia. As the founder of Deelightfultales, she delights audiences worldwide with her humorous and lively storytelling style. In her stories, she weaves ancient wisdom with personal experiences, allowing her rich Singaporean Tamil heritage to resonate.

She now works with Newport Storytellers and Generation Women Australia, is a director of the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW) and is soon to be a director of the Federation of Asian Storytellers (FEAST). She values connecting with the world through sharing stories and cultural wisdom. Dee Palanisamy invites listeners to explore the essence of being human through her captivating storytelling.

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The festival is supported by: Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen | Landeshauptstadt Dresden - Amt für Kultur und Denkmalschutz | Kulturamt Stadt Leipzig | Märchenstiftung Walter-Kahn | Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds |GLS Bank |Chemnitz Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2025 |

In cooperation with: A project by ERZÄHLRAUM e.V. in cooperation with Taupunkt e.V. Chemnitz, Societaetstheater Dresden, GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig, Theater der Jungen Welt Leipzig, Budde-Haus Leipzig, Café Terra Leipzig, Kültür Kollektiv Leipzig e.V.

Price information:

Registration for this workshop is only possible via festival@erzaehlraum.de.