Tree Talks at Healing Bells: where stories root and rise

Welcome to our new Healing Bells website! I’m thrilled to share with you the trailblazing musical storytelling events we’ve developed and the exciting projects we have planned. We have so much to celebrate!

I’ll start with our new logo, made by Yurani Cubillos, who has a beautiful creative spirit and loving heart. As we were sharing ideas for the logo, I told Yurani that in our recent musical, Ni une más (Not one more), we created Tree Talks between stories, where–through metaphors–we invite humans to follow the examples of trees.

Scientists call the tallest tree in the woods the Mother Tree. When Mother Tree’s tallest branches block the sunlight from the smaller neighboring trees, instead of stockpiling the nutrients, she shares them through the trees’ interdependent mycorrhizal fungi and root systems.

Trees work together to ensure that everyone can thrive, knowing that each individual tree’s health impacts the wellbeing of every other tree.

That’s exactly what we strive for at Healing Bells. We collaborate to tell stories that have been ignored or censored. Together, we co-create those stories through music, theatre, dance, and poetry. Through the arts, storytellers feel heard and validated, often for the first time. Through this artistic co-creation, they can transform trauma into healing empowerment.

Yurani was able to put those concepts into a visual logo, with roots grounding us in the wisdom of Mother Earth, and branches that can bend and sway like dancers–designs that protect them against high winds and storms. Within the strength of a supportive community, the branches burst forth with leafy life–a fresh start. And the framing warmth of the sun brings cycles of rest and activity to keep us balanced, focused on musical storytelling for change, and refreshed.

Imagine if all of humankind interacted like trees!

Please check out our full website here, with kudos to Ayub Jaime Elias for his ongoing efforts to give our collaborative work a global reach!

Stay tuned for a new blog entry each Tuesday. Next week, hear what Audre Lorde and Sara Ahmed have to say about silence.