Writing has always offered the possibility of travel. Whenever we step into the world of the writer’s creation, we go on a journey . You could say that story telling and writing were in fact the earliest forms of virtual travel. In ancient times, myths, stories, oral histories, songs, poems made the experience of travel accessible to everyone. But it would be thousands of years before actual travel became available to the common person.
In these days of restricted travel people are still hankering after the real thing. While virtual travel has gained ground since Covid 19 many are still sceptical, viewing it as a poor subsititute.
We held our first virtual journey last month for writers and artists. The Six Senses of Sefrou offfered a creative online getaway to a little known market town in Morocco. Conducted entirely on Zoom, the weekend consisted of a Friday evening introduction, followed by four sessions on Saturday and four on Sunday. It was a collaboration between Culture Vultures Sefrou and Writer’s Journey and going by the feedback we received, it was a great success.
What a magical journey so expertly woven by Jan and Jess into a myriad of cultural and sensory experiences to fire my creative process. I felt safe in my zoom world to explore my writing and produce some of the best work I’ve done in ages! Sharing the journey with other creative souls made it so special and gave invaluable insights to my work. Shukran! Diolch yn fawr! Karen Rees, artist/filmmaker/writer, NZ/Wales.
A wonderful cultural and creative indulgence with the company of others at a time when finding motivation and making connections is difficult! Thank you. Fiona Scottney, visual artist/art therapist, Melbourne.
Such an energising and evocative weekend Jan and Jess. Many thanks for all your preparation and imagery of Sefrou, a totally new experience for me, and your keen facilitating. I appreciated the push to begin conveying part of my own life and will continue one way or another. An excellent way to get into the creative process of photographic memoir through sensory experiences of Sefrou. Maggie Carroll, biographer/farmer, Molong, NSW.
I miss travel hugely, but this Sefrou experience with its mix of images and sounds was very real and filled me with creative inspiration and the joy of good company. Sallie Mason writer/traveller/wellness practitioner, Sydney.
Sensual, stimulating, serendipitous opportunity to enjoy visiting a colourful, exotic Moroccan village while sharing and creating visual art and writing with inspiring people, but without the debilitating effects travel usually has on me. Highlights were meeting and getting to know the participants and their creative expressions. Zooming in on the delights of Sefrou with our enthusiastic facilitators, and finding inspiration and motivation to make big steps forward with my writing aspirations. Also it stimulated more research into my fascination with the history of Jews in Morocco. I feel so grateful and awed, that such a terrible world event as COVID, produced such a creative response from Jan and Jess, and such an unexpected opportunity for me. Joy Dahl, memoir writer, Melbourne
Such a good weekend! An immersion in sensory suggestions and possibilities. I’ve been reading through my notes … words and phrases from those captivating images, whole scenes jumping back to life again. Highlights were Jan’s suggestions on HOW to work on the various stimuli, and Jess’ knowledge, no matter what she was asked —great historical background. Jan was able to give a new creative twist on each item brought before us — a master-study in creative workshop techniques. It was exciting, refreshing and motivating!Many thanks to all! Biff Ward, published author (In My Mother’s Hands, Allen&Unwin), Canberra.
Our next virtual journey is The Language of Story, a day with Gumbaynggirr Elder, Micklo Jarret.
Frid Sept 25, 6pm – Sat Sept 26, 10 am – 9pm. Book Here Now
