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This spring, MILAGRO and its local partner Welkom in Utrecht brought people together through the universal art of storytelling. Their five-part workshop series, led by seasoned performer and coach Soula Notos, aimed to foster connections between migrants, Utrecht residents, and UCU students through sharing personal stories.

Throughout the series, Soula emphasized that storytelling is a practice rooted in every culture—one that helps people build self-awareness and find common ground. Participants explored their identities, shared meaningful memories, and learned how to craft compelling stories. From childhood memories and favorite places to first experiences, the workshops created a space where participants could listen to and reflect on each other’s journeys.

The sessions were interactive and dynamic, featuring exercises like storytelling games, peer feedback, and the incorporation of native languages into personal narratives. Each activity was designed to encourage authentic connection and build confidence across cultures and backgrounds.

The series concluded with a storytelling night during the MILAGRO Utrecht Local Assembly, where eight participants performed their stories before an audience of family members, friends, university students, and local residents. The evening was a heartfelt celebration of shared experiences, warmly received by all, and has already inspired plans for a second workshop series later this year.

Through these workshops, storytelling proved to be a powerful way to bridge communities, foster empathy, and celebrate the diverse voices that enrich Utrecht.

Looking back at the third MILAGRO Local Assembly on April 4^th.

The evening brought together a vibrant mix of community members, students, and newcomers for an evening of connection, storytelling, and cultural exchange at the HerculesHoek community center, a space managed by local partner Welkom in Utrecht.

The evening began with a shared dinner, where participants — including Ukrainian refugees, neighborhood residents, students from ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ College Utrecht, and volunteers from Welkom in Utrecht — worked together to prepare the tables and set the scene. The meal featured dishes from Greek, Italian, Ukrainian, and Turkish traditions, accompanied by a playlist of favorite songs collected from all participants, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere.

Following dinner, the audience enjoyed a storytelling performance by participants from the MILAGRO storytelling workshops led by Soula Notos. Soula introduced the workshops and their importance, followed by a welcome from Welkom in Utrecht and an overview of the MILAGRO project by Tatiana Bruni, project manager in Utrecht.

The performances began with a moving piece by a Ukrainian musician playing the traditional Bandura. Then, the storytellers took the stage one by one, sharing personal stories that moved the audience to both laughter and tears. The evening concluded with informal conversation, music, and the sharing of leftover food, leaving participants with a sense of connection and anticipation for future events.

The Local Assembly showcased the power of simple, grassroots initiatives to bring people together across cultures and create lasting bonds within the city of Utrecht.