Two weeks ago, one of my short stories got published by Ecozon@: European Journal of Literature, Culture and Environment.
Editorial by the creative arts director:
“The first contribution is an ecofeminist retelling of a Flemish folktale foregrounding nettles. The text is written by Wendy Wuyts, who defines herself as an eco-communicator rewilding folktales and restor(y)ing places.
In discussing her fascinating methodology, Wuyts mentions that she purposefully lists all the people —including machines assisting with the translation process—who have introduced narrative variants to the fairytale over the past centuries, to emphasize that a fairytale is a fluid, ongoing artwork, often calibrated to actual themes and interests of the storyteller and contemporary audience. This statement confirms what Melvin Konner argues in his book The Evolution of Childhood, namely that “even the simplest and most static of human cultures is an engine of inventive mutual influence and change» (590).
Wuyts’s superb intervention lies precisely in recognizing the personhood of plants by turning the communities of nettles in the story into active protagonists who become powerful allies of the heroine’s liberation from patriarchal power. Instead of portraying nettle as an “invasive species,” Wuyts adheres to Gilles Clément’s reframing of so-called weeds both as vital inhabitants of the lands they populate and as inspiring freedom seekers. In fact, while “everyone rails against the vagabonds” (Clément 276), in Wuyts’s version of the story, they rightfully become holders of a lost knowledge rooted in cooperation, resilience, and mutual care. As the human female characters relearn how to converse with nettles, the plants are acknowledged as valuable teachers who help re-establish “the sacred bond between the people and the land.”
Besides reclaiming the active role of plants on a narrative level, the text also challenges dominant patriarchal dynamics that traditionally govern fairytale plot structures, especially in the rewriting of the ending, which exemplifies ecofeminist principles in action. In fact, the female characters join forces to “attune themselves to the whispers of nettles and the desires of their hearts, blending “craftsmanship, intuition and openness to the magic of plants.” In so doing, readers—virtually of all ages—are exposed to a story of rebellion and newfound independence that holds the potential to reshape cultural and social practices surrounding questions of gender and ecology.“
Illustrations
The director continued: “The three illustrations accompanying the text beautifully bring to life the spirit of the revisited folktale. They are realized by Yule Hermans, a Belgian illustrator who curated the visual storytelling of several children’s books, including Tom Mariën’s picture book Geef Wacht! (Give Guard!, Van Halewyck, 2020). Her love for myth and legend manifests in a sophisticated and highly recognizable style blending magic and reality. The use of acrylic paint, combined with the choice of an earthy color palette mixing shades of greens and purples, further contribute to creating a poetic, dreamy atmosphere that centers the empowering bond between women and plants.”
Visit the portfolio of Yule Hermans
To read the full editorial: https://ecozona.eu/article/view/5460/5964
To access (for free) the short story and illustrations: https://ecozona.eu/article/view/5393/5852
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