History, Culture, Myths and Folktales is a 2018-2019 arts programming series presented by Global Education Center that focuses on the myths and folktales that help to explain the history and culture of people throughout the world and how both oral and written traditions share values, beliefs and perceptions of a people as they struggle to survive and plant roots.
Exploring the evolution of cultures through their myths and folktales, this series will include a range of activities and events including discussions, readings, workshops, films, performances and exhibitions that examine the influence of myths and folktales on history and enculturation.
We will explore how people share stories to explain the mythological as well as to deal with the ups and downs of daily life. A people’s stories also show social, political, religious, philosophical, and survival issues that are needed for a culture to take root and thrive throughout generations. By sharing stories, music, dance and visual arts from diverse cultures as well as historical documentation through photo displays, documentary films and performances, our hope is that community members from all cultural identities will recognize the commonalities we all share and be willing to engage in dialogue about how the worldviews and lifestyles of even our most under-represented communities must be recognized and respected in order for our broader community to be welcoming and inclusive.
This series is made possible with partial funding from Humanities Tennessee, an affiliate of National Endowment for the Humanities. Rajiv Muhabir's visit is also supported by South Arts. All Global Education Center programming is made possible with support from Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts: Nashville Office of Arts and Culture, and National Endowment for the Humanities.
Below is a schedule of events.
Exploring the evolution of cultures through their myths and folktales, this series will include a range of activities and events including discussions, readings, workshops, films, performances and exhibitions that examine the influence of myths and folktales on history and enculturation.
We will explore how people share stories to explain the mythological as well as to deal with the ups and downs of daily life. A people’s stories also show social, political, religious, philosophical, and survival issues that are needed for a culture to take root and thrive throughout generations. By sharing stories, music, dance and visual arts from diverse cultures as well as historical documentation through photo displays, documentary films and performances, our hope is that community members from all cultural identities will recognize the commonalities we all share and be willing to engage in dialogue about how the worldviews and lifestyles of even our most under-represented communities must be recognized and respected in order for our broader community to be welcoming and inclusive.
This series is made possible with partial funding from Humanities Tennessee, an affiliate of National Endowment for the Humanities. Rajiv Muhabir's visit is also supported by South Arts. All Global Education Center programming is made possible with support from Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Arts: Nashville Office of Arts and Culture, and National Endowment for the Humanities.
Below is a schedule of events.
Liithographs by Maria Baca
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Modern Folktales with poet, Maria Baca
October 5 - 6, 2018 In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Global Education Center and the Line Breaks Literary Reading Series will kick off our 2018-2019 program series, History, Culture, Myths & Folktales, with performance and lecture from acclaimed New Mexican painter & poet Maria Baca. Focusing on symbolic language and its use in writing, the event will include a collaborative performance of an original folktale that integrates Baca's poems and art and explores themes of feminine strength, self-actualization, history and ecology. Working collaboratively with local actors and musicians, Baca will combine spoken poetry, “video wardrobes,” and images from her colorful paintings and photographs projected as big as life. Together, they will tell a captivating story that draws from her experiences as a community artist in New Mexico and from her rich cultural heritage. There will be ample opportunity for audience inquiry and discussion. |
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Indian Mythology and Folklore
November 2 - 3, 2018 Reading, November 2, 2018 @ 7:30 pm (Free but donations graciously accepted) Writing Workshop, November 3, 2018 @ 10 am - 12pm $40 ($30 for GEC members) Global Education Center and our Line Breaks Literary Reading Series presents the work of Indo-Caribbean author and award-winning poet Rajiv Mohabir, as he engages recollections of history, Indian mythology, and folklore as well as his lived experience. He will present a reading from his book The Taxidermist’s Cut and The Cowherd’s Son. He will also facilitate a workshop on “Writing the Mystical.” In connection with this presentation, local South Indian dance school Kala Nivedanam will share universal tales from Hindu and Buddhist traditions through the beautiful Bharatanatyam dance form. The combination of Mohabir’s words and the beautiful gestural storytelling of the dance will inspire audience members to seek answers to questions about cultural identity and its relationship to ancient cultural stories. |
https://vimeo.com/217551306
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Defending the Fire
Documentary Film by Silver Bullet Productions December 8, 2018 4:30 pm Since the beginning of time, Native American Warriors have navigated a unique cultural and spiritual path, relying on the tenets of the Warrior in ancient and modern warfare. The lessons of the Warrior are universal; the spirit of the Warrior survives, even in the face of conflict. With a focus on the spiritual and historic journey of Native American Warriors, Silver Bullet Productions will present the story of the Warrior, the importance of cultures in modern quests, and the lessons of War through the lens of these cultures. The characters will be elders and historians from New Mexican tribes and Native veterans of World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Afghanistan/Iraq conflicts. Grounded in research and guided by voices of men and women in our armed forces, the documentary will reveal the distinct motive, preparation, conflict, and healing of tribal soldiers. |
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Meet the Authors of Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's Life and Legacy
March 10, 2019 @ 1:30 pm Crazy Horse family elder Floyd Clown Sr. will join author William Matson to discuss and sign their book Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's Life and Legacy based on the Family’s oral history March 10 at the Global Education Center located at 4822 Charlotte Avenue from 1:30 to 3:30 PM in Nashville. The Crazy Horse family's oral history had not been told outside the family for over a century because the government had been hunting their family members since Crazy Horse was assassinated in 1877. Now, over a century later, it is finally being told by his family. Clown, a son to Edward Clown who was a nephew to Crazy Horse and keeper of the sacred bundle and pipe, will represent his family at the discussion. Clown currently lives in Dupree, SD on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Matson, a documentary film maker, currently resides in Spearfish, SD. |
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Poetry of Resilience
March 30, 2019 @ 4:30 pm This award-winning documentary film by Katja Esson explores survival and strength highlighted by poets who individually survived Hiroshima, the Holocaust, China’s Cultural Revolution, the Kurdish Genocide in Iraq, the Rwandan Genocide, and the Iranian Revolution. Film screening will be followed by a community dialogue with a panel representing the cultures featured in the film. |
Photo Credit: Lynda Koolish
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Poetry & The African American Experience
February 22 and 23, 2019 Reading - February 22, 2019 @ 7:30 pm (Free but donations graciously accepted) Writing Workshop - February 23, 2019 @ 10 am - 12 pm $40 ($30 for GEC members) Global Education Center and our Line Breaks Literary Reading Series presents Dr. Haki Madhubuti, author, educator, scholar and founder of Third World Press. Dr. Madhubuti is known for writing experimental, free-verse, politically charged poetry with a staccato rhythm. For this project, he will focus on the history and culture of African Americans as expressed through poetry, examining poetry's relevance to modern life. It will include a reading, followed by audience discussion, and a corresponding writing workshop. |
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A Thousand Voices Documentary Viewing
January 26, 2019 4:30 pm This documentary by Pamela Pierce and Silver Bullet Productions celebrates the idea that Native American women are reclaiming their rightful place in the modern world, sharing the stories of strong Native women who are tied to their cultures as well as to the thousand ancestral voices that preceded them. The film will be followed by an audience Q & A and discussion facilitated by local Native women. |
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An Evening with Li-Young Lee
November 1, 2019 - Reading - 7:30 pm November 2, 2019 - Workshop - 10:00am - 12pm Global Education Center and our Line Breaks Literary Reading Series present renowned poet Li-Young Lee. An Evening with Li-Young Lee will feature selections from his five books of poetry. The reading and conversation will be followed by a writing workshop to be held at the Global Education Center on the following day. |
LocationGlobal Education Center
4822 Charlotte Ave. Nashville, TN 37209 Most events will be held at Global Education Center. Street parking is available as well as across the street at Richland Park. We are also on the #10 bus line, with a stop directly in front of our main building. For any help with transportation or parking, please email [email protected] for more information. |
Contact UsIf you would like to find out more about Global Education Center and our upcoming events, workshops, classes and programs, please join our emailing list. We promise not to send too many emails but just enough to keep you informed and engaged with a organization that promotes, advocates and celebrates diversity in Nashville.
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This program is made possible with support from South Arts, an affiliate of the National Endowment of the Arts, and Humanities Tennessee, an affiliate of National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, and National Endowment for the Arts.
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