Athens, Greece, September 24, 2024 — dir="ltr">The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Greece launches “Tales from Home,” a powerful collection of folk stories and fairytales spanning from Afghanistan to Greece, highlighting the transformative power of unity and hope in times of displacement and uncertainty.
Born out of a 2022 workshop organised in collaboration with Arkista - “Art for Kids in a Stable” and The Boat Collective, a refugee-led art group, the book embraces the experiences of women and children from Afghanistan, Iran, and Greece who gathered in a space guided by mutual understanding and acceptance. The stories they harvested together connect people across borders and generations, celebrating cultural diversity and shared human experiences. Illustrated by Iranian artist Sahar Ghorishi, this collection aims to inspire young readers and remind us all of the strength found in togetherness.
Dimitra Kalogeropoulou, IRC Country Director in Greece, said:
“Tales from Home, a collection of stories spanning from Afghanistan to Greece, underscores the importance of intercultural dialogue and serves as a testament to how acknowledging our diversity can reveal our similarities and foster social cohesion - both in Greece and around the world.
“This is a powerful title, capturing the essence of unity and shared humanity carried through timeless folk and fairy tales. It emphasises themes of togetherness and the diverse narratives that connect us all, regardless of our origins—telling the story of understanding and connectedness that we all share beneath the same sky.
“We hope that this book can serve as a useful tool in the public debates on refugee integration and find its way into classrooms and homes, setting an inclusive tone that bridges cultures and generations.”