COTTAGE GROVE — Fairy tales and folklore hold a special place in society. They teach the importance of right and wrong, the line between trust and naivety, self-confidence, and personal growth.
On Wednesday Sept. 4, Friends of Cottage Grove Library (FCGL), the Cottage Grove Public Library and RISE of the Umpqua & Willamette Valleys will bring people together through fairy tales and folklore with their Food and Folklore e. This free event will take place in the Friendship Hall at First Presbyterian Church Cottage Grove, 216 S. 3rd St. from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., and childcare will be available.
Author Allison Wall once wrote: “The place that should have been home may fail us. We may be misunderstood. But fairy tales assure us that somewhere there are allies and mentors who will help us. Who will understand our intentions. Fairy tales assure us that we will find home, even if we have to build it ourselves.”
This quote resonated with Samantha Duncan, volunteer with FGRL.
“People come from all over the world, and stories and storytelling have always been something that I grew up with,” she said. “Reading fairy tales, and reading about people moving around, leaving home, and just thinking of what it would take for someone to have to leave.”
Duncan always thought that sharing these fairy tales could be a way to connect different people in the community. When she saw a grant with a theme of “fear and belonging,” she jumped at the opportunity and wrote the grant for the library.
“I wrote the grant essentially as a way for people to come together around two common experiences … no matter where they’re from, which are folktales that are sort of passed down generations, and food,” said Duncan, project manager.
The event was first held in July at the community center and the provided meal consisted of dumplings across several different cultures. Duncan used Little Red Riding Hood to inspire a theme of leaving home, facing danger, and finding safety, she said.
Stories were projected for participants to read, and a personal narrative was played as an audio in Spanish, in addition to English projection. Afterwards, there was time for community members to discuss the tales and share their own, Duncan said.
As of Aug. 26, the menu for the September rendition of Food and Folklore hadn’t been decided on, but it will ideally include something culturally diverse, Duncan said. Food will be served from 6 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., and storytelling will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The theme this time will be directed more towards the journey itself, and the dangers along the way, leaning on the Norwegian tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and the Persian story Sugar and Milk.
Joseph Russ, the Presbyterian World Mission’s coordinator for migration issues, has offered to begin the conversation by relating tales of folklore to real stories from El Salvator. This will be followed by a short break, then the group will go more into the fairy tales and their themes. The event will again end with time for participants to share personal experiences.
New at this event, there will be free childcare for children who do not wish to participate. First Presbyterian Church has a nursery room and Duncan is working to confirm with community caregivers.
Currently, Food and Folklore is not on the calendar for next year.
“This is a one time grant, meant to inspire community conversation,” Duncan said, but all hope is not lost. “If people are interested in keeping it going or hosting other events, I’m sure the Friends would be happy to be involved.”
