Online Talk: 'Green' myths, legends and folk tales

In a world increasingly beset by ‘climate anxiety’ and ‘eco-distress’, can traditional narratives play any role in offering a more optimistic outlook? Do such myths, legends and folk tales relate only to Western countries – or reflect universal concerns across the globe? And can they offer any useful lessons to help us make Planet Earth a better place?

These were some of the questions Rosalind had in mind when she started researching and writing her new book, Myths, Legends and Tales for a Greener World. Her intellectual journey lasted over a year, through ancient books and clay tablets, 19th century collections and academic journals, modern research articles, tourist websites and beyond.

She will describe a Cherokee myth that exactly reflects global warming, a Chinese folk tale about man-made climate disaster, a South American rainforest warning about litter, a Nigerian story about extinction, a Japanese story about leaving resources for the future and much more. You will meet a whole array of fantastical characters including an Indian Tiger Demon, Sioux thunderbirds, the Irish Hungry Man and the Caribbean ‘Mother of the Water. She will also share myths promising that Planet Earth can always recover from disaster.

The talk will share the challenges and rewards of her research, and introduce some of the most unforgettable stories and nuggets of global wisdom from many different cultures. The accompanying slide show will include some of the stunning specially commissioned artwork in the book.

Rosalind Kerven (workingwithmythsandfairytales.blogspot.com) is an independent narrative folklore practitioner, working with world myths, legends and folktales for over 40 years, and most of her 70+ books published in 22 countries are in that genre. She began with retellings for children, but now writes full-length collections for adults, meticulously researched from the oldest archives. These have been highly praised by reviewers in The Times Literary Supplement, The Independent, Grammarye and the FLS’s own journal, Folklore. She is an experienced speaker and always aims to make her talks both intriguing and accessible.