Bringing Stories to Life: Reflections from Our First Storytelling Picnic

Our very first Storytelling Picnic, held as part of the A Million Voices (AMV) project, took place on November 30th and brought together 20 participants, including Ukrainian refugees, local residents, and community representatives.

A Million Voices aims to improve the mental health and social integration of Ukrainian refugees in the EU through innovative art and narrative therapy. The project is being implemented across three partner countries, with a strong focus on empowering refugees while fostering social cohesion with local communities.

By creating safe, creative, and reflective spaces, AMV encourages individuals to share their experiences and build meaningful connections.

The goal of the event was to create a space where people could share personal stories, listen without judgment, and connect across different backgrounds.

What We Hoped For, and What Happened

Participants arrived expecting a calm and friendly environment where they could speak openly about their experiences after the war, meet new people, and reflect on their experiences. From the very beginning, the group settled naturally into conversation. Stories were shared with honesty and vulnerability, and the room quickly became a space of mutual trust and support.

By the end of the picnic, many described the event as meaningful, calming, and unexpectedly connecting. Listeners offered gentle encouragement, speakers shared from the heart, and everyone contributed whether through words or attentive presence.

Event Highlights

• Open and honest storytelling: Participants shared memories, challenges, hopes, and small but powerful moments from their experiences as refugees.

• A supportive atmosphere: The group listened with care, creating a safe environment where people felt comfortable opening up.

• New connections: Despite different life paths, attendees found shared experiences that sparked conversations continuing long after the event.

• Active participation: Whether through sharing or attentive listening, everyone played a part in shaping the experience.

• Positive feedback: Participants described the picnic as emotionally supportive, grounding, and meaningful.

What We Learned

• A warm, calm environment makes it easier for people to open up about what they'd been through.

• Storytelling is a powerful tool for reflection and feeling understood.

• Not everyone needs to speak to feel included, listening can be just as meaningful.

• Creating intentional spaces for connection matters more than we often recognize.

Final Thoughts

Our first Storytelling Picnic was a reminder of how transformative shared stories can be. We’re excited to continue this work and build a community rooted in empathy, creativity, and mutual support.

If you joined us: thank you for trusting the space and each other.

If you missed this one: we hope to see you at the next picnic!