The XVI International Fairy Tale Therapy Festival "The Psychology of Fairy Tales and the Fairy Tale of Psychology" successfully concluded its work on February 6-7. Two intensive days of the online program became a space for deep professional dialogue, creative exploration, and practical exchange for psychologists, therapists, educators, and all who see fairy tales as a tool for understanding and transforming reality.
The leaders of the International Community of Fairy Tale Therapists (the festival organizer) set the tone for the conversation about metaphor as the language of the soul at the opening of the traditional event.
This year's program covered an incredibly wide spectrum of topics: from working with crisis states in adolescents and psychosomatics to exploring the transformation of archetypes in modern culture and the application of artificial intelligence in creating therapeutic stories.
Participants immersed themselves in master classes where theory organically intertwined with practice: working with the internal image of illness through fairy tale motifs, using jewelry metaphors for self-exploration, composing fairy tales as a tool for setting life goals and coaching. Special attention was paid to the resources of fairy tale therapy in supporting children and adults in difficult life situations.
Once again, the festival confirmed that fairy tales remain a living, flexible, and profound method capable of responding to the challenges of modernity. It is not only a way to work with the subconscious but also a bridge between generations, technologies, science, and art.
The festival was viewed by over 1,500 participants from more than 100 cities in Russia and 9 countries worldwide.
We thank the speakers and participants for their trust, engagement, and collaborative creativity. Looking forward to meeting at the next festival!