The wordsmiths - a writing course for young people with Norah Lång and Jorunn Lavonius. Photo: Lova Rudin

The wordsmiths

A writing course for young people 

Are you interested in words, language and writing? In this course, you will practice writing stories, poems, environments and characters in an inviting, writing community. No previous knowledge is required to participate, just a big dose of curiosity about your own story!

This summer, Ordsmidarna opens its doors for the second time for young people to explore their own writing together with course leaders Jorunn Lavonius and Norah Lång. During the course, participants explore different ways of approaching wordsmithing through writing exercises and text conversations.

Åland100

This year, the writing during the course will be linked to Åland 100 and what it means to be a writing young person on Åland today. We will address topics such as culture, identity and writing together.

"- We want to offer a toolbox of the best writing tips we've picked up over the years," says Norah.

"- During the course we will explore writing as an identity seeker and as a collective activity. There is thus room both for co-creation and for looking for one's own individual language and style." says Jorunn.

About the course leaders:

Norah is 22 years old and is studying peace and conflict science. She has studied creative writing at Jakobsbergs folkhögskola in Stockholm, documentary film at Ölands folkhögskola and worked with cultural journalism. Her own writing usually takes place in the form of a poem and touches on themes such as heritage, natives, nature, youth and the impact of the growing environment on humans. She has also worked on the documentary "DO NOT FEEL SHAME FOR ME MARIEHAMN", which follows the lives of young Mariehamners.

Jorunn is 23 years old and is studying writing at Skurups folkhögskola. She works with journalism and is the editor of the magazine Ordkonst. Jorunn writes a collection of nature lyric poems, but she also enjoys writing short stories about youthful love and power structures. She prefers to work with rhythm, dialogue and bringing characters to life.

Jorunn and Norah have been friends since the age of ten and have since collaborated on various creative projects - from contributions to the music competition Young Bands to poetry reading at Mariehamn's literature days and as table neighbors at a newspaper editorial office. As teenagers, they lacked a larger writing context, and largely discovered on their own that writing was something you could actually do. Today, both work on their own literary projects on the side of their studies.

When? October 21st - 24th, 2021

Time? 10.00 - 15.00 every day, lunchbreak 12.00-12.45.
Coffee and tea is included, and NIPÅ also arranges transport from Mariehamn to Thuregården, if the participants need transportation. 
All the participants bring their own lunch. (There are utensils and cutlery as well as a microwave at Thuregården.)

Where? Thuregården

Target group? Young people of high school age, about 14-20 years.

Maximum number of participants: 15 pcs.

Participation fee: 20 euros.

Sign up here! (Please note that the form is in swedish.)

Photo: Lova Rudin

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