From 16 to 21 May 2025 close to Bordeaux and Bergerac in France.

Join us at the Simply Canvas Farm Retreat Center in France for an immersive storytelling retreat, where stories come alive.

Find your authentic storytelling voice

The Storytelling Retreat invites you to step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in the art of storytelling. Through playful exploration and meaningful connection, discover the stories that are waiting to be told and learn how to share them in your own authentic voice. Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just starting out, this retreat offers a nurturing space to grow and connect with fellow story enthusiasts. With maximum eight participants, the Storytelling Retreat is a cozy and lively space for all who love stories.

The magic of oral storytelling

This retreat is for anyone drawn to the magic of oral storytelling. Whether you wish to captivate an audience on stage, share tales with friends, or simply explore your creative side, you'll find a welcoming space here. Perfect for both those who already have stories to tell and grow and those who are seeking inspiration to help them find stories.

Xina is a great storyteller with a wealth of creative exercises for those looking to develop their storytelling skills. They bring great depth to the stories they tell, and I love their approach to exploring stories that engage not just the intellect, but the heart and soul as well. - Evelyn

At the Storytelling Retreat in France, we embrace storytelling as a living and embodied art form. Our approach is to let stories grow naturally, allowing them to reveal their true essence. Through this journey, you'll connect with your creative subconscious and learn to tell stories in a way that is uniquely yours.

The Storytelling Retreat will help you:

• Find Your Authentic Voice: Discover the power of your own storytelling style, embracing authenticity and vulnerability.
• Befriend Your Story: Learn to ask the right questions and let your story guide you, instead of shaping it to fit preconceived ideas.
• Engage the Whole Self: Storytelling is more than words; it's about using your body, voice, and expressions to bring tales to life.
• Embrace Playfulness: Dive into a world of creativity and imagination, seeing stories through fresh eyes and new perspectives.
• Develop Storytelling Skills: Each participant will embark on a unique journey to uncover the specific storytelling skills they need to enhance.

Through tailored sessions and insightful guidance, you'll gain a clear understanding of your strengths and areas for growth. By the end of the retreat, you'll leave with a personalised roadmap and concrete exercises to continue honing your storytelling craft, ensuring your development continues long after the Tellers' Retreat concludes.

Language

The working language of the retreat will be English. This allows us to come together as a group and ensures that everyone can participate in shared exercises and discussions. That said, we warmly encourage you to explore and work with stories in your native language during individual exercises or personal reflection. For group activities, however, a certain level of fluency in English is necessary to collaborate and communicate effectively. 

If you need support in Dutch or French, Xina and Emma are fluent in these languages and will be happy to assist you in your own language when needed.

Book early – limited spots available

Simply Canvas Farm consciously offers an intimate setting to ensure a personal atmosphere. Therefore, the number of spots is limited. Don’t wait too long and secure this unique opportunity to experience storytelling in depth.

Our storytelling retreat is designed to follow each participant’s journey, adapting to the needs and inspirations that arise. Each day offers a blend of structured sessions and flexible exploration, ensuring a personalised experience.

Friday, May 16 

Arrival and evening introduction to story

Saturday to Tuesday

• 8:15 - 8:45: Morning wake-up session (optional)  
• 8:45: Breakfast
• 10:00 - 12:30: Morning session Playing with Story
• 13:00: Lunch & free time 
• 15:00-18:00: Afternoon session - Playing with Story  
• 18:30: Dinner
• 20:00: Story Circle

On Tuesday, our last evening, we’ll close with a ceremony. The next morning we say our goodbyes after breakfast. 

Daily Themes

• Day 1: Introduction to story
• Day 2: Germinating story seeds
• Day 3: Nurturing the story sapling
• Day 4: Growing story
• Day 5: Pruning the story tree

This structure is an overview of what participants can expect, though we may adjust the program to allow for the organic flow of the retreat.

Find your Authentic Storytelling Voice

About Xina

Xina Mercken is a storyteller, storytelling coach, theater maker, and collage artist based in Amsterdam and Groningen, the Netherlands.

Known for their ability to draw listeners into captivating worlds, Xina crafts stories with empathy, detail, and rhythm that resonate and linger, often leaving audiences with more questions than answers.

As a storytelling coach, Xina is celebrated for their intuitive teaching style, adapting to the needs of participants and meeting them where they are in their storytelling journey. A trained Trauma Informed professional, Xina creates a safe and nurturing space for creativity to flourish. Their workshops balance excitement, fun, and relaxation, encouraging exploration beyond intellect to engage the soul. With a focus on authenticity and personal growth, Xina empowers storytellers to discover and develop their unique voices.

Xina is the founder of the Pillow Society, an English-speaking storytelling community with monthly storytelling evenings in Grand Theatre in Groningen, and hosts Tell Me More storytelling evenings at Theater de Generator in Leiden. They are also a regular host at Labyrinth Open Mic Monday in Amsterdam.

About Emma

Emma Lindgren is a Franco-Swedish artist and certified D.O.practitioner of osteopathy. Invited by Xina to co-host the retreat, Emma will guide participants in embodying their stories through body, voice, and breath, essential elements of storytelling. Her approach encourages moving out of the head and into the body, fostering a creative state of being. 

Emma's holistic practice focuses on body awareness and vocal research. Her dual path is dedicated to both freedom of movement and nurturing creativity.

I believe expression is the antithesis of oppression, and our body is an instrument capable of vibrating its unique frequency. I’ve listened to Xina’s stories many times and I resonate with their sensitive approach! I am happy to bring my presence to the space to nurture the grounding and inspiration that can be helpful for organic soulful storytelling. - Emma

Included is

Your stay, 3 meals per day, coffee/tea, snacks, all exercises and meditations, bed linen, and towels (just bring your own towel for the pool).

Practical Information

­• Date: 16-21 May 2025 (arrival 16 May in the afternoon, departure 21 May after breakfast)

Tiny house:

• €995 for the tiny house to yourself (double bed)
• €875 for the tiny house shared with a friend / your partner (double bed)

Houses (two bedrooms, living room, one shared bathroom)

There are three houses available. Each house features two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a toilet. You will share an entire house with one or two other participants. Alternatively, you can rent an entire house exclusively with your partner. (To do this, book two single rooms and mention in the comments that you are attending with your partner or friend.)

This arrangement ensures both comfort and flexibility, allowing for shared or private accommodation tailored to your needs.

• €995,- for a single room to yourself 
• €875,- for a shared twin room

Or, bring your own tent/camper:

• €745

Luxury safari tents:

It might still be fresh in May, but if you want you can stay in a safari tent.

• €995,- for a spacious safari tent to yourself
• €875,- for a shared safari tent (two single beds)

You can book extra nights at €70 per night or €35 in your own tent, including breakfast. 

­• Address: Simply Canvas Farm, 748 Chemin du Charrier, Lieu dit Bonac, 47120 Saint Jean de Duras (vlakbij Bergerac).

Let’s walk together and bring stories to life!

Book Your Spot click HERE