Csenge Virág Zalka's Blog, page 83
April 3, 2015
C is for the Civakacintamani (Epics from A to Z)
(Because it is a lot more fun to pronounce than El Cid)
(Also, warning: The original text contains explicit adult content. In very, very elaborate language)
Origins
The Civakacintamani is one of the five great Tamil epics, and it is also a religious poem of Jainism. It is known as the Book of Marriages. It was composed in the 10th century by a Jain monk named Tiruttakkatevar. It consists of 3145
(Also, warning: The original text contains explicit adult content. In very, very elaborate language)
Origins
The Civakacintamani is one of the five great Tamil epics, and it is also a religious poem of Jainism. It is known as the Book of Marriages. It was composed in the 10th century by a Jain monk named Tiruttakkatevar. It consists of 3145
April 1, 2015
B is for Bosi and Herraud (Epics from A to Z)
Warning: The original text of this saga includes graphic sexual content.
(Try not to trip over yourself)
Origins
The Saga of Bosi and Herraud is a Norse legendary saga that mainly takes place in Götaland (modern day southern Sweden) and was written sometime before 1350 AD. It ties into other sagas as well - for example, the story of Ragnar Lothbrok, recently known as this guy from the History
(Try not to trip over yourself)
Origins
The Saga of Bosi and Herraud is a Norse legendary saga that mainly takes place in Götaland (modern day southern Sweden) and was written sometime before 1350 AD. It ties into other sagas as well - for example, the story of Ragnar Lothbrok, recently known as this guy from the History
March 31, 2015
A is for Antarah (Epics from A to Z)
Welcome to Epics from A to Z! We are off to a very adventurous start.
(How is this story not a blockbuster movie yet?)
Origins
The Romance of Antar is an Arab epic poem composed sometime in the 8th century. It consists of forty-five volumes (!!!) and several hundred pages in its original form; as to date, no full English translation has been published. The story takes place in the 6th century
(How is this story not a blockbuster movie yet?)
Origins
The Romance of Antar is an Arab epic poem composed sometime in the 8th century. It consists of forty-five volumes (!!!) and several hundred pages in its original form; as to date, no full English translation has been published. The story takes place in the 6th century
Storytellers from A to Z
As promised, here is a list of storytellers blogging during the A to Z Challenge!
For the first time this year we have expanded the WR tag to Writing/Storytelling. Here I only included blogs written by professional (oral) storytellers. Visit and enjoy!
Story Crossroads - A brand new, up-and-coming international storytelling festival from Utah, telling us how a storytelling even can build and
For the first time this year we have expanded the WR tag to Writing/Storytelling. Here I only included blogs written by professional (oral) storytellers. Visit and enjoy!
Story Crossroads - A brand new, up-and-coming international storytelling festival from Utah, telling us how a storytelling even can build and
March 30, 2015
Storytelling Book Review: The Ravenous Gown by Steffani Raff
Here are two things you need to know:
1. I am not a book blogger.
2. I don't like literary fairy tales.
I am saying these things up front so you can understand my review in context.
I saw the call for ARC reviewers for this book on Facebook, and since the author is also a storyteller I know, I decided to sign up. I received a copy of the book in PDF format. Even in its ARC form, The Ravenous
1. I am not a book blogger.
2. I don't like literary fairy tales.
I am saying these things up front so you can understand my review in context.
I saw the call for ARC reviewers for this book on Facebook, and since the author is also a storyteller I know, I decided to sign up. I received a copy of the book in PDF format. Even in its ARC form, The Ravenous
Tall tales, short tales, and an Irish wake - Ohio Storytelling Conference, 2015
You don't have to go very far to find a great storytelling conference. Or maybe I just live in the right place.
OOPS (the Ohio Order for the Preservation of Storytelling) and I happen to be the same age. This year's conference was titled "Respect the Past - Focus Forward" and I was invited to present my workshop "StorySpotting - Building a bridge between folktales and popular media."
I arrived
OOPS (the Ohio Order for the Preservation of Storytelling) and I happen to be the same age. This year's conference was titled "Respect the Past - Focus Forward" and I was invited to present my workshop "StorySpotting - Building a bridge between folktales and popular media."
I arrived
March 22, 2015
Theme Reveal: Epics from A to Z!
Roll out the red carpet, ready the cameras. The A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal is here!
Those of you who have visited my blog before will not be terribly surprised. For the past two years I have done themes related to folktales, fairy tales, and other traditional stories. Since, you know. I'm a storyteller.
(Last year's theme was Tales with Colors, and the year before it was Weird Princesses)
Those of you who have visited my blog before will not be terribly surprised. For the past two years I have done themes related to folktales, fairy tales, and other traditional stories. Since, you know. I'm a storyteller.
(Last year's theme was Tales with Colors, and the year before it was Weird Princesses)
March 20, 2015
Teaching English has never been about grammar tests
I tell stories in English. I write (and publish) in English. I got a Fulbright Scholarship, and I am doing my PhD in the USA. I read books in English for fun. I watch TV shows in English. At this point, I am technically bilingual.
None of this would have happened, if I didn't have great English teachers.
Including my mother.
My mother never sat down with me to fill out grammar tests; she never
None of this would have happened, if I didn't have great English teachers.
Including my mother.
My mother never sat down with me to fill out grammar tests; she never
March 17, 2015
St. Patrick's Day post: A love letter to Irish stories
It is nine in the morning, and the cops are already picking up piss-drunk college students all dressed as leprechauns.
I am not Irish. As far as I know, none of my close or far ancestors are even remotely Irish. I am also not American, so I am experiencing this whole day through the double lens of an outsider.
And yet, I can't help but take it personally.
As a storyteller.
Take my advice: Do NOT
I am not Irish. As far as I know, none of my close or far ancestors are even remotely Irish. I am also not American, so I am experiencing this whole day through the double lens of an outsider.
And yet, I can't help but take it personally.
As a storyteller.
Take my advice: Do NOT
March 3, 2015
Laughter, tears, and lots of blood – My first ever Epic Day!
Thanks to the J.J. Reneaux Mentorship Grant, I was
able to travel to the West Coast for the first time (I really wandered away
from home…) and participate in Epic Day. Cathryn Fairlee, the mother
of Epic Day, happens to be my mentor, therefore I was totally obligated to make
the trip on the grant money. Totally.
I have always loved epics and other long-form
traditional stories, and always hoped
able to travel to the West Coast for the first time (I really wandered away
from home…) and participate in Epic Day. Cathryn Fairlee, the mother
of Epic Day, happens to be my mentor, therefore I was totally obligated to make
the trip on the grant money. Totally.
I have always loved epics and other long-form
traditional stories, and always hoped
