STORIES FOR HOPE brings together both like- and unlike- minded individuals to encounter one another and share their stories, aided by the natural ability for creative expression within us all.

The collaborative initiative invites local artists and creatives to respond to themes of hope and democracy through their artistic and creative practices, and to share this process with their local communities. 

How it started.

STORIES FOR HOPE was initiated by Stephanie Bonnici (Malta-born, Rotterdam-based). Faced by news of wars, conflicts, the climate crisis, and the rise of the far-right, I found myself increasingly anxious - not only about the state of our world, but also about my own limited actions in response.

After reading Rebecca Solnit’s “Hope in the Dark”, I was inspired by the notion of active hope as an act of defiance against prevailing narratives of fear, and therefore hope as a political act and catalyst for grassroots action.

Through STORIES FOR HOPE, I aim to offer spaces for communities to imagine alternative futures for their lives, for living together, and for our world. Central to this vision is the natural ability for creative expression that lies in each of us. 

“[Change] was made by activists, but also by artists, writers, comedians, and filmmakers”

Rebecca Solnit recognises the impact that the contributions of artists have had on movements led by civil society throughout history:

I don’t do this alone.

“It was arguments, sermons, editorials, pamphlets, conversations that changed the mind of the public”

For the pilot events in Rotterdam (May 2024), I am collaborating with local artists and creatives in order to host two workshops for members of diverse local communities, through the mediums of writing and ceramics.

Read more about the collaborating artists and creatives (Salomé, Jolien, and Ruth) of the pilot events in Rotterdam below.

  • Salomé Attias (FR/NL)

    Salomé Attias is a shape-shifter in the world of creativity: she’s a performer, improviser, trainer, storyteller & creative advisor. Her background is an eclectic mix of architecture, urbanism, political science, and literature, allowing her to view the world through a kaleidoscopic lens and translate complex systems into stories. Off stage, you can find her taking the streets alongside Extinction Rebellion, a global grass-roots climate and ecological movement. Her latest creative focus explores the role of comedy and performance in countering climate inaction and supporting non-violent direct action. She believes in the power of collective imagination, play and stories to radically change ourselves and the world.

  • Jolien van Oostende (NL)

    Keramelien is a ceramics studio in the vibrant heart of Rotterdam founded by Jolien van Oostende, who believes that ceramics is not only an art form, but also a way to express yourself and find peace. Jolien always had a love for working with her hands; gardening, baking, painting and so on. But this love only really came to the surface after the sudden death of her father. Turning this hobby into her job is an ode to her father, who had great dreams but unfortunately was not able to realize them. Like her father, she also has a love for nature, especially the forest and mountains. With ceramics she now really feels that she can express this love for nature. Her goal is to bring a piece of our beautiful world with ceramics back into people’s homes.

  • Ruth Borg (MT/NL)

    Ruth Borg is an interdisciplinary artist based in Amsterdam. She works in theatre, performance and film as a performer, maker, writer, vocalist, and facilitator. She creates work and spaces that may allow us to remember power, liberation and joy where they have been buried by the hands of over-domestication and domination of all sorts. She uses her body, voice and connections with others to make works that feed the world where it is starved. In 2015 she graduated with a B.A (Hons) in Theatre Studies from the University of Malta and two years ago she graduated with a B.A in Mime from the University of Arts in Amsterdam. She has performed locally and around Europe with various collectives, companies and her own work too.