We look at how different forms of storytelling – from the written word to music, from theatre to illustration – is vital for our survival, both during this time of pandemic and the grander experience of diaspora and displacement. Storytelling has been a way for us to find connection with community during this time of isolation, but it has also always been a way for us to preserve our histories, traditions, and memories.

This episode if brought to you by partnership with #RisingYouth, a program led by TakingITGlobal that offers grants to youth to kickstart their own community service projects bringing their ideas into action.

Featured in this episode:

• Linh S. Nguyễn is a Vietnamese-Canadian immigrant and writer who specializes in children’s literature and creative non-fiction. Her personal essays, short stories, and novels (to come) revolve around the idea of homecoming. Linh’s professional focus is the intersection between art, social justice, and community. She is passionate about fostering spaces for underrepresented artists to share and grow. Linh holds an H.B.A. in English from the University of Toronto and will be starting her Masters degree at the University of Cambridge this fall in the Arts, Creativity, and Education program. Follow her on Instagram at @linh.s.nguyen or on Twitter at @linhsnguyen.

• Christie Wong is a first-gen Hong Kong-Canadian immigrant and a multidisciplinary artist with primary explorations in photography, visual poetry, illustration, and facilitation. She is passionate about the journey of art making and its profound effect on living through many perspectives. Her art encircles themes of home, discovering of self in tiny forgotten moments and the depth of joy. Merging the process of entrepreneurship as a creative process, her ever-changing career landscape grows with each page turn and brush stroke; reflections of the power of creative thought in the everyday. Stay tuned for a new illustrated Chap book by Christie and Linh Nguyen coming out soon and other developments in chocolate making, song sharing and new words! You can find more of her frolickings at www.girlonsaturn.com or more frequently @chrwonstie on Instagram!

• Carmen Lee serves as executive director and co-founder to award-winning company, Theatre du Poulet. As Nova Scotia’s first Asian-owned theatre, the company is ready to share stories that uncover unheard voices to Canada’s diverse community. Learn more at www.theatredupoulet.com. After graduating with First Class Honours in Arts, Events and Stage Management from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Carmen has managed and produced over 30 shows in both Canada and Hong Kong. With over 8 years of experience in production and stage management, lighting, sound and set design, and arts administration, she has led her team to award wins at the Fringe Festival in Halifax and the Summerworks Festival in Toronto. Follow her at @theatredupoulet.

• Cassandra Lobo is currently a second-year undergraduate student. During this time of isolation, she created virtual music concerts for seniors, individuals with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, and cancer patients. Learn more about Sounds in Isolation at www.soundsinisolation.org. Follow her across socials at @soundsinisolation.

Living Hyphen is a community seeking to turn up the volume on the voices of hyphenated Canadians.

Storytelling for Survival

Living HyphenBy Living HyphenJun 02, 2021