PROJECTS and COLLABORATIONS
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The Power of Storytelling and New South Narratives
A special collaboration with New Orleans-based nonprofit E Pluribus Unum to create a series of videos showcasing the power of storytelling. During the Festival, we interviewed some of the South’s storytellers about their craft and ability to change hearts and minds, to build empathy, to break down walls, and call us all to action. The project honors storytelling’s past, celebrates the 50th National Storytelling Festival and uses the power of honest, frank stories around hard topics to impact people’s hearts and minds so we can forge ahead to a better tomorrow. The project the premise was geared towards confronting the issue of race head-on if we are to move forward, cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are advancing racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change. Through this work, the goal was create a more just, equitable, and inclusive South, setting an example for the rest of the nation.
A special collaboration with New Orleans-based nonprofit E Pluribus Unum to create a series of videos showcasing the power of storytelling. During the Festival, we interviewed some of the South’s storytellers about their craft and ability to change hearts and minds, to build empathy, to break down walls, and call us all to action. The project honors storytelling’s past, celebrates the 50th National Storytelling Festival and uses the power of honest, frank stories around hard topics to impact people’s hearts and minds so we can forge ahead to a better tomorrow. The project the premise was geared towards confronting the issue of race head-on if we are to move forward, cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are advancing racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change. Through this work, the goal was create a more just, equitable, and inclusive South, setting an example for the rest of the nation.
Image courtesy of Dollywood.
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Dreaming Big with Dolly Parton Kiran led several initiatives to help tell Dolly Parton’s story. Including helping to establish her dream resort as a storytelling site of excellence, training her team of Imagination Library affiliates and supporting Dolly’s legacy story. Kiran also got a special thank you from her majesty Dolly herself, in the form of a personal letter and a bouquet of flowers! Read more about Dreaming Big with Dolly Parton |
Celebrating Appalachian Traditions with Yo-Yo Ma
In 2022, Kiran collaborated with UN peace ambassador and international cellist Yo-Yo Ma on a project that celebrated Appalachian traditions.Kiran was tapped as a thinking partner and workshop leader for a special storytelling and music convening that took place May 13-15 in Western North Carolina. Other partners included Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service, community members and elders of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, Cherokee museum, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Black in Appalachia, National Park Service, Radio Lab and others. The project convened around 45 cultural and eco-activists and practitioners from across Appalachia and beyond, to help explore the emerging story of how culture connects people to the natural world and how biodiversity and human diversity strengthens our relationship to nature and to each other, brings us empathetic connections as we imagine and build our collective future.
Read more in Keeping Things Whole
In 2022, Kiran collaborated with UN peace ambassador and international cellist Yo-Yo Ma on a project that celebrated Appalachian traditions.Kiran was tapped as a thinking partner and workshop leader for a special storytelling and music convening that took place May 13-15 in Western North Carolina. Other partners included Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service, community members and elders of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, Cherokee museum, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Black in Appalachia, National Park Service, Radio Lab and others. The project convened around 45 cultural and eco-activists and practitioners from across Appalachia and beyond, to help explore the emerging story of how culture connects people to the natural world and how biodiversity and human diversity strengthens our relationship to nature and to each other, brings us empathetic connections as we imagine and build our collective future.
Read more in Keeping Things Whole
Image courtesy of Austin Mann
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Namaste Y'all: Fostering Peace Through Stories
In August 2017, a small group of white supremacists planned to stage a Confederate rally in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. It had been two weeks since violence erupted at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and people’s anger had not cooled. This article describes Kiran’s work to promote and advance nonviolence action. “Namaste, Y’all”
Read Namaste, Y'all. An interview by Jeff Ruby in The Rotarian magazine.
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Spoken Word at the United Nations in Geneva
Kiran presenting his "Chip on my Shoulder" spoken word poem, at the United Nation's Geneva Peace Week Pathways to Peace. Geneva, Switzerland. |
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Freedom Stories
Kiran established the funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and oversaw the launch of Freedom Stories, a groundbreaking initiative that centered on African-American heritage in Appalachia. Kiran recruited historian Dr Alicetyne Turley, that directed the project and worked closely to shape the initiative that reached around 1.5 million people around the world. Presented online and as part of the National Storytelling Festival. The initial conversation “Do Black Lives matter in Appalachia?” invited scholars, artists, and community members, and numerous partners to dialogue as part of a year of racial reckoning following the Murder of George Floyd in 2021. Learn more about Freedom Stories Watch the Congressional briefing about Freedom Stories in partnership with National Humanities Alliance |
Leading Story Circles in Honor of Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel
All the training I've had as a Rotary Peace Fellow, a storyteller, folklorist, and as an educator has taught me to think about how important it is to try to leave the world a better place than it was when we found it. Before I was born, my own parents fled their home under threat of genocide. This is why I am alive today and why I support genocide prevention.
In 2016, I led a story circle in the Senate in support of a new bill to prevent genocide. The participants were people that came from different backgrounds, belief systems, faith and political affiliations. We all shared stories and found common ground. I remember walking away feeling as though it might have been some of the most important work I’d ever done. Since that time, I’ve kept up with the progress on that initiative and I’m pleased to report that the initiative named in honor of Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, was passed by both the House and Senate! The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act received an overwhelming 367 to 4 vote and was signed into law by the President on January 14, 2019.
Read more about the Elie Wiesel Conflict Prevention Act Advocacy
All the training I've had as a Rotary Peace Fellow, a storyteller, folklorist, and as an educator has taught me to think about how important it is to try to leave the world a better place than it was when we found it. Before I was born, my own parents fled their home under threat of genocide. This is why I am alive today and why I support genocide prevention.
In 2016, I led a story circle in the Senate in support of a new bill to prevent genocide. The participants were people that came from different backgrounds, belief systems, faith and political affiliations. We all shared stories and found common ground. I remember walking away feeling as though it might have been some of the most important work I’d ever done. Since that time, I’ve kept up with the progress on that initiative and I’m pleased to report that the initiative named in honor of Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, was passed by both the House and Senate! The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act received an overwhelming 367 to 4 vote and was signed into law by the President on January 14, 2019.
Read more about the Elie Wiesel Conflict Prevention Act Advocacy
TALKS and PODCASTS
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American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress- Botkins Lecture.
Kiran Singh Sirah discusses the power and artistry of storytelling as an ancient art form and as the world's oldest form of communication. He also discusses what he describes as one of the greatest community-building tools that we can use to foster, cultivate and strengthen peace and collaboration in our communities, and will also explore how we might collectively use new storytelling forms in the arenas of peace and community development to help establish a conflict-free world |
National Endowment for the Arts “ArtWorks” Podcast
Kiran talks about creating community through stories, the ability of story to transcend petty politics and connect us to what is essential. His own story is pretty interesting: born in England to parents who had been expelled from their home in Uganda and grandparents who were part of the liberation movement in India. He understands first-hand the ability of stories to translate cultures to each other. We also hear a story from NEA National Heritage Fellow Sheila Kay Adams who can spin a tale with the best of them.
Kiran talks about creating community through stories, the ability of story to transcend petty politics and connect us to what is essential. His own story is pretty interesting: born in England to parents who had been expelled from their home in Uganda and grandparents who were part of the liberation movement in India. He understands first-hand the ability of stories to translate cultures to each other. We also hear a story from NEA National Heritage Fellow Sheila Kay Adams who can spin a tale with the best of them.
Finding Peace at the +Peace Coalition International Day of Peace
Kiran reflects upon the +Peace Coalition Action Network meeting he attended in New York City in December 2019.
Kiran reflects upon the +Peace Coalition Action Network meeting he attended in New York City in December 2019.
ARTICLES and INTERVIEWS
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF AMERICAN FOLKLORE SOCIETY
Article inviting Kiran to the Executive Board of American Folklore Society, to advise, build relationships. 2024.
THE PATH OF A GLOBAL STORYTELLER
Video Podcast. Kiran describes his journey as a storyteller and cultural practitioner for social change. His beliefs in the value of folk arts storytelling to build community. 2023.
HUMANITY STORIES WITH KIRAN SINGH SIRAH
Smithsonian Folklife writer, Eileen Jones and the incredible production team at Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage capturing the essence of our "kitchen table storytelling" curated experiences at the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on National Mall.
THE POWER OF STORYTELLING WITH KIRAN SINGH SIRAH
A podcast on the power of storytelling to heal, unite, and inspire action.
ROTARY VOICES: WHY I AM A PEACEBUILDER AND HOW YOU CAN BE ONE, TOO
Reflections on how peacebuilding can be achieved through small acts of kindness
ROTARY PEACE FELLOW REFLECTS ON AFGHANISTAN, HELPING OTHERS IN CRISIS
Tips on how to help people in moments of crisis
SMITHSONIAN FESTIVAL BLOG: LESSONS IN STORYTELLING, BRIDGING CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES
An article by Angelica Aboulhosn about Kiran's work exploring the power of storytelling
A! MAGAZINE FOR THE ARTS INTERVIEW
An interview with Kiran about his tenure at the International Storytelling Center
MAIN STREET AMERICAN: EXAMINING THE THUMBPRINTS
A blog about rethinking narratives with Main Street America
HARNESSING THE POWER OF STORYTELLING IN APPALACHIA
A piece from "NEH for All" highlighting ISC's and Kiran's work in the Young Appalachian Story Summit.
Article inviting Kiran to the Executive Board of American Folklore Society, to advise, build relationships. 2024.
THE PATH OF A GLOBAL STORYTELLER
Video Podcast. Kiran describes his journey as a storyteller and cultural practitioner for social change. His beliefs in the value of folk arts storytelling to build community. 2023.
HUMANITY STORIES WITH KIRAN SINGH SIRAH
Smithsonian Folklife writer, Eileen Jones and the incredible production team at Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage capturing the essence of our "kitchen table storytelling" curated experiences at the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on National Mall.
THE POWER OF STORYTELLING WITH KIRAN SINGH SIRAH
A podcast on the power of storytelling to heal, unite, and inspire action.
ROTARY VOICES: WHY I AM A PEACEBUILDER AND HOW YOU CAN BE ONE, TOO
Reflections on how peacebuilding can be achieved through small acts of kindness
ROTARY PEACE FELLOW REFLECTS ON AFGHANISTAN, HELPING OTHERS IN CRISIS
Tips on how to help people in moments of crisis
SMITHSONIAN FESTIVAL BLOG: LESSONS IN STORYTELLING, BRIDGING CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES
An article by Angelica Aboulhosn about Kiran's work exploring the power of storytelling
A! MAGAZINE FOR THE ARTS INTERVIEW
An interview with Kiran about his tenure at the International Storytelling Center
MAIN STREET AMERICAN: EXAMINING THE THUMBPRINTS
A blog about rethinking narratives with Main Street America
HARNESSING THE POWER OF STORYTELLING IN APPALACHIA
A piece from "NEH for All" highlighting ISC's and Kiran's work in the Young Appalachian Story Summit.
KIRAN SINGH SIRAH TELLS TALES
An expose by Maria Hardee Milling for Blue Ridge Country magazine.
An expose by Maria Hardee Milling for Blue Ridge Country magazine.
INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER OFFERS IDEAS TO HELP RESIDENTS
A public workshop invite from the Charleston County Public Library in South Carolina following the tragedy at Mother Emanuel AME Church.
A public workshop invite from the Charleston County Public Library in South Carolina following the tragedy at Mother Emanuel AME Church.
STORYTELLING & COMMUNITY IN JONESBOROUGH, TENNESSEE
An op-ed for Main Street America.
An op-ed for Main Street America.
STORYTELLING PROGRAMS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH RESONATE WITH SIRAH
An interview by Lynn Richardson for the Johnson City News & Neighbor.
An interview by Lynn Richardson for the Johnson City News & Neighbor.