Born from a tiny seed that carries within it millions of years of DNA, rooted in soil that is uniquely their own, flowers bloom—briefly, brilliantly—for a few hours or a few days. They bear fruit, which releases a seed, which in turn gives rise to another flower, in a cycle both fleeting and eternal.

Biologists may see a strategy for survival. The rest of us see a riot of color and form, a marvel that enchants across time and culture. Like flowers, stories carry the DNA of humanity. They are ancient and ephemeral. Though born in a particular time and place, they travel through centuries, across borders, resonating universally. And like flowers, stories delight—purely, simply.

This year, we place our festival under the sign of hope. For imagination is the soil in which hope grows. Imagination frees us, opens the realm of the possible, gives life to realities not yet born. It invites us inward, where we find solace, clarity, healing. The dragons of story lend us courage for the dragons of the real world. The old woman’s whisper in the woods still speaks truth to those who listen. Generosity, humility, tenderness—these are fierce weapons for those who know how to wield them.

Whether the stories be contemporary explorations of cultural identity, narratives rooted in queer experience, or ageless fairy tales, the festival gathers them in a vibrant bouquet and offers them to you, dear audience.

In every petal of every flower, a story unfolds—of a humanity still searching for itself.

Enjoy the festival.

Stéphanie Bénéateau

Artistic director