Dingwall story circle is 'first of many'
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A HIGHLAND councillor hopes that a new story circle which uses books to tackle prejudice and intolerance will be the first of many across Scotland – following its successful arrival in Dingwall.
Heartstone, which has been based in Dingwall for the past 20 years and works to build understanding across cultures and nationalities, has enjoyed success elsewhere in the UK with exhibitions in the likes of London and Edinburgh.
And they brought the message ‘home’ last week with a new story circle in Dingwall library, reading the fantasy tale The Heartstone Odyssey.
The novel is aimed at nine to 12-year-olds and sees the fantasy aspects interwoven with deeper issues such as prejudice and intolerance.
The story circle was opened by John West from High Life Highland along with Highland councillor Andrew Jarvie and Sita Kumari, the director of Heartstone.
Cllr Jarvie said working on the project had been a privilege, adding: “I really do hope that this is the start of many of these story circles and that we can work with the Scottish Government to give this home grown organisation the platform it deserves across Scotland.”
The story circle was lead by Ms Kumari who took on the role of storyteller and dancer as she brought to life the heroine of the story, Chandra.
Ms Kumari, said: “This book deals with the issues through the imagination, without lecturing or preaching, changing hearts and minds to see beyond stereotypes and prejudice and to recognise a common humanity”.
She was inspired to create the organisation when she was first told the story over 30 years ago.
“It was first told to me as an oral story on a three-day train journey from Mumbai to Chennai in the ’80s from which everything has followed,” she explained. “It was a life-changing experience leading to the formation of Heartstone.”
Carmen Garcia-Pagan, library supervisor at Dingwall Library, said the library were delighted to be involved in the launch: “The Heartstone Odyssey is a thought-provoking tale which tackles some powerful issues.”
