Latest news with #storytelling
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tales and Folklore with Fran O'Boyle at Culley's Bar
Fermanagh Yarn Spinners is keeping the spoken storytelling tradition alive with another exciting night of tales and fables in Culley's Bar, Enniskillen, at 7.30pm on Monday, 23 June. Their next guest is Fran O'Boyle, a professional storyteller who has entertained audiences in schools, festivals, museums, and libraries all over Ireland and the United Kingdom. Mr. O'Boyle specialises in re-telling traditional stories from the Anglo and Welsh borders, where he lived for many years. He is currently based in Donegal with Glens of Antrim roots. Currently, Mr. O'Boyle is undertaking research into the rich folklore and captivating tales of northwest Donegal. He will bring his professional storytelling skills and deep knowledge of folklore to Fermanagh. Hosted by Fermanagh Yarn Spinners, this monthly storytelling evening offers a warm and creative space where people can listen, share, and enjoy spoken stories. If you are interested in attending this month's session, please contact Fermanagh Yarn Spinners as booking is required: fermanaghyarnspinners@
The Herald
2 hours ago
- General
- The Herald
Children need rich, multifaceted teaching in their mother tongues to master literacy and learning
Learning literacy in mother tongues is the foundation for all learning. It makes sense for all children to begin learning in languages they are familiar with, so they can participate and engage in their learning more actively than they do when learning in unfamiliar tongues. In SA, many children start learning to read and write in their home languages from grades 1 to 3. As the children learn to read and write, they also need to have access to nurturing experiences with storytelling, reading and writing, arts (visual and performative) and text analysis. They also need access to books, libraries and reading role models who are family members at home, in the community and at school. Before 2025, many African language speaking learners experienced mother tongue education only in the foundation phase. When they reached grade 4, these learners had to switch to learning everything in English. This restriction of African languages to one or two periods a day in the intermediate phase, in particular, puts limitations on language and literacy practices that should continue to take place across the curriculum. This transition to English also put limitations on the number of published books in African languages that children can access. With the incremental implementation of mother tongue-based bilingual education starting in grade 4, African language learners will now also have access to African languages as they begin learning science and maths bilingually. This calls for a large production of learning and teaching support materials as well as supplementary non-fiction texts written in African languages or multilingually in African languages and English. This can ensure that reading and writing take place throughout the day and across the curriculum. This will ensure the daily literacy practices that shape them into becoming literate. The different iterations of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) results, every five years since 2006, have all pointed to poor reading performance among South African children. Though they all perform below the PIRLS benchmark, learners taking the assessment in English and Afrikaans do much better than those using African languages. The African language-speaking learners have had fewer opportunities to read in their home languages because they have little access to a wide variety of texts and to libraries and books at home. It is not surprising that the learners who do poorly in these assessments, even when they write in their home languages, come from working-class backgrounds, where it is more important to buy a loaf of bread than a book. Many interventions to improve literacy in the foundation phase have been carried out, with some arguing for a simple view of reading for working-class children. This means to improve the children's reading levels, teachers should focus on teaching decoding skills well. But there has been little appreciation for complex approaches to teaching literacy, which integrate the teaching of phonological awareness ( sound structure) with morphological awareness (understanding how words can be broken down into smaller units of meaning such as roots, prefixes, and suffixes) for African languages, teaching of reading with the teaching of writing, art (visual and performative) and storytelling for children from working-class backgrounds.
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Two friends wrote a gay romance — and had to flee Russia
In April 2016, Elena Malisova was feeling overworked and listless when, over Skype, she asked her friend Kateryna Sylvanova to write her a story — something happy and bright. The two, who at the time were based in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod respectively, had bonded after meeting on Ficbook, a Russian-language writing platform. Sylvanova protested: 'I'm also tired — you write me something.'
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Personal Branding Is The New Business Branding
Nitin Gupta, founder of QRCodeChimp. He's a technology leader with over two decades of technology development and management experience. getty I met a young Punjabi entrepreneur at a networking event in San Francisco a few years ago. Let's say his name was Manjit. As startup founders, we bonded quickly. Manjit was looking for investments for his tech firm. He met every angel investor possible to hand over his visiting cards and deliver a well-rehearsed elevator pitch about his product. He was confident that his energetic pitch would land him the opportunity he sought. He ended the event with high hopes. The following year, I met Manjit again at the same event. He revealed that he was still looking for an investor. But this year, he approached them with a different plan. Instead of a pitch, Manjit had a story to tell—the problem he identified as an expat living in a foreign land, how his product would address it and how millions of expats would benefit from it, promising great ROI. Manjit's story worked—he secured seed funding, and I learned a valuable lesson: Personal branding is no longer optional; it has become the foundation of business branding. The modern customer craves authenticity. Many people want to know the stories and faces behind a company. According to Edelman's 2023 Trust Barometer, 63% of people trust their neighbors, while 48% trust CEOs. Often customers want to know what an individual says about a brand more than what the brand says about itself. Some entrepreneurs have even become household names because of their voice and presence, making them more relatable to the common person than their companies. Traditional branding, such as logos, colors and taglines, still matters. However, I've noticed that what attracts customers and builds trust with them is the human behind the brand. The short answer is: Emotion wins over noise. Most people don't want to hear sales pitches. However, people are constantly bombarded by social media ads, marketing emails and website pop-ups, almost exasperating them. Here, personal branding works like a fresh breath of air. When someone speaks, shares a personal anecdote, tells a story or admits to a mistake, people listen, relate and often connect emotionally. Personal branding allows people to see the human behind the brand. • The power of word-of-mouth marketing: Back in 2012, a Nielsen study found that 92% of consumers trusted earned media, including individual recommendations, over brand messaging. Fast-forward to today, and much of that trust has shifted to social media influencers and vocal business leaders who shape opinions and drive purchasing decisions. • Relatability: The efficacy of a human connection is undeniable. When someone hears an entrepreneur talk about dreams, aspirations or failures, they can often instantly relate to the situations—a feat an inanimate object like a corporate brand can't achieve easily. • Engagement: Personal stories on LinkedIn and other social media platforms often see higher engagement than brand posts. Why? They feel real and build trust, encouraging people to buy from you, recommend you and invest in you. • Relevance: Personal branding keeps you visible. When you consistently express your opinion on various trending topics in addition to your business, you stay relevant (so does your brand). • Legacy: Your personal brand stays with you. Unlike businesses, which can grow, evolve or fail, your words, reputation and presence remain. I think Elon Musk is a good example of personal branding. Many people associate his personality, unfiltered views and futuristic vision directly with his companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Meanwhile Richard Branson's adventurous, bold personality makes Virgin come across as approachable and daring to many people. In India, I think Anand Mahindra's personal brand as someone who's thoughtful, witty and socially conscious has enhanced Mahindra Group's global corporate image. And Ankur Warikoo built a massive audience by sharing personal stories, career lessons and failures. First things first, you don't need an avant-garde media team or to spend tons of money to build your personal brand. Here's how to do it instead: • Pick a platform: Identify your customer demographics and where they spend most of their time. It could be LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X or YouTube—or all of these. Start with one platform, be consistent, and scale as your audience grows. • Share your story: Talk about your journey—why did you start your business, and how are you addressing an issue? Talk about the challenges and the solutions. Trust me, people are more interested in listening to a story than reading product features. • Offer value: Teach and inspire people. Share lessons, mistakes, wins and insights. • Be real: Dare to be imperfect. Don't overthink. People typically connect more to real human personas rather than the sanitized versions. • Engage: Build a community. Start conversations and respond often. Reply to comments, and show support to people and causes. You might be wondering: "Is all this effort worth it?" Absolutely. It can shorten sales cycles because people already trust you. It can attract talent because people want to work "with" you, not just your company. It can open doors to speaking gigs, media coverage and partnerships. And it can make your business more resilient because your presence keeps your brand alive. Personal branding is not about ego. It's about connection. People want to know who you are, not just what you sell. As an entrepreneur, showing up as yourself can be your biggest differentiator. The world doesn't just need more products—it needs more people who are real, relatable and driven by purpose. So the next time you think of investing in your business brand, ask yourself—what am I doing to build my brand? Your face, your voice, your story—it's the brand people trust. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How The Radiant Table Is Fusing Visual Storytelling With High-End Cuisine
The Radiant Table San Francisco's newest dining series, The Radiant Table, is introducing a more elevated take on immersive dining—one that centers chefs and cuisine rather than spectacle. The multi-course dinner series debuted last month and integrates projection mapping technology and top culinary talent into a cohesive, rotating format. Each evening features a new chef, menu, and an accompanying visual narrative, creating an experience focused on storytelling through food. The main goal? To support the chefs and giving them a unique, one-of-a-kind stage where their food stays front and center. While the visuals, music, and design are certainly show-stopping, it's designed to enhance the dining experience, not compete with it. Each dinner experience is created with the chef, inspired by the stories and ideas behind their menu. Each night's chef personally introduces each course, offering context and connection. The projections serve to complement that narrative. At its core, it's about shared storytelling—led by the food, with everything else there to bring it to life. Created by SE Productions—the team behind large-scale culinary experiences like Field to Table and Sumo + Sushi—The Radiant Table builds on a foundation of innovation. The Radiant Table 'At SE Productions, we've always been focused on creating experiences that are entirely new, whether that's building a pop-up restaurant on the 50-yard line of a stadium for Field To Table or flying sumo wrestlers in from Japan for the ultimate 'edu-tainment' experience at Sumo + Sushi,' says SE Productions President, Sam Minkoff. 'Innovation is one of our core values.' This latest concept aims to reframe the idea of immersive dining by emphasizing culinary talent. 'Cassie, my wife and creative partner, and I had experienced other projection-mapped dinners like Le Petit Chef in our travels. While we admired the theatricality of those concepts, we felt there was an opportunity to flip the script, putting the chef at the center rather than the animation,' Minkoff explains. 'Our background in technical production gave us the tools to create immersive visuals that don't just entertain but actually elevate the culinary experience.' Guests are seated at communal eight-person tables, where dishes are served alongside coordinated animations that reflect the meal's theme. One night might feature coastal ingredients paired with ocean-inspired visuals, while another draws on forest flavors and earthy tones. 'Radiant Table was born out of a desire to give chefs a creative playground and to offer guests a sensory-rich environment where art, storytelling, and food work in tandem,' says Minkoff. The Radiant Table The Radiant Table launched on May 16, 2025, and has since featured a diverse and exceptionally talented lineup of Bay Area chefs. Participants have included chef Alex Hong of the one Michelin-starred Sorrel, known for his refined take on seasonal California cuisine, and James Beard semi-finalist chef Azalina Eusope, a fifth-generation street food vendor turned fine dining chef recognized for bringing Malaysian flavors into the spotlight in San Francisco with Azalina's. From Top Chef Season 18 alum and Sobre Mesa chef Nelson German, whose Dominican-meets-Afro-Caribbean flavors are bold and inventive, to chef Heena Patel of Besharam, one of the few chefs in the U.S. highlighting the vibrant vegetarian traditions of Gujarati cuisine, the range of talent and cultural depth is unmatched. Each chef brings a distinct perspective, enriching the series with personal storytelling and regionally inspired dishes that push the boundaries of what immersive dining can be. While immersive hospitality concepts have become more common, The Radiant Table's focus on chef-driven menus and evolving programming sets it apart. With new chef lineups and themes introduced regularly, the series offers a more curated, thoughtful alternative to traditional pop-ups—and a new model for experiential dining in the Bay Area. After the final weekend of the The Radiant Table sold out, they've decided to host one last encore dinner. The series last event will take place June 27th with 3rd Cousin chef, Greg Lutes. For more information, click here. We chatted with SE Productions President Sam Minkoff on what goes in to producing The Radiant Table, how they choose their featured chefs and more. Here's what he had to say: We believe a city's culinary landscape is central to its cultural identity. Radiant Table is our way of building a stage where we can spotlight the chefs shaping that identity, those already recognized with accolades like Michelin stars or James Beard nods, and those who we believe are destined for that kind of recognition. The Radiant Table Our Food & Beverage Manager, Alycia, does an incredible job researching and building relationships with chefs in each city. We look for talent that's not just accomplished, but also curious, chefs who are eager to collaborate and explore a new medium of creative expression. The response from the chefs who've participated so far has been incredibly positive. While we're rooted in local talent, we do plan to bring in occasional visiting chefs to add another layer to the experience. Radiant Table is more supper club than white-tablecloth dining. We're intentionally nudging people out of their comfort zones, whether that's through the visual environment, unfamiliar dishes, or simply the act of sitting with strangers. We've found that guests who seek out unique culinary experiences tend to share common passions: food, community, creativity, and local culture. Placing them at shared eight-top tables fosters real connection. One of our favorite moments during our debut in San Francisco was seeing guests exchange numbers and hug each other at the end of the night. That kind of community-building is exactly what we hope for. There's also a creative reason for the format: from a production standpoint, a 9-by-4-foot table gives our projection artists a larger canvas to work with. It allows the visuals to breathe and truly complement each dish, and helps us maximize the capabilities of our tech. This project was born, in part, from the efforts of grassroots community leaders in San Francisco working to revitalize its downtown core. One Market Plaza, just a block from the Ferry Building, offered an amazing opportunity to bring life back into a former co-working space in a way that's creative and unexpected. Transforming unconventional spaces is something we've leaned into across many of our projects. With Sumo + Sushi, we've taken airplane hangars, film studios, and armories and turned them into cultural theaters. The Radiant Table With Field to Table, we've built stunning 10,000 square foot dining rooms on the 50 yard lines of professional sports fields. Reinventing nontraditional venues has become a bit of a specialty, and it's something we take a lot of pride in. Next up is Bellevue, Washington—a neighboring city to our hometown of Seattle and a place that's quickly emerging as a culinary destination in the Pacific Northwest. We're excited to host Radiant Table in a former Ruth's Chris Steakhouse that had been a fixture in Bellevue for nearly 20 years. It's a perfect example of reimagining what a space can be. After Bellevue, we plan to bring this to other cities with fantastic culinary landscapes, including New York and Chicago. Our ethos is simple: food comes first. Everything else is designed to support that. From the start, we made it a priority to be of service to the chefs, to create a platform where their food could shine and not get lost in the theatrics. The visuals, music, and design are all there to deepen the guest's experience of the dish, not distract from it. Each visual environment is built in collaboration with the chef, drawing on the themes, stories, and personal inspiration behind their menu. The chefs introduce each course themselves, giving guests a deeper understanding of what's on the plate. The projection mapping acts as a companion to that storytelling. Ultimately, we're creating a shared space for storytelling, where food leads the conversation and everything else is there to help it resonate.
