'Ciranda' is a one-woman performance of storytelling, music and gardening by psychotherapist and musician Cris Prade.
Drawing on true stories from Cris' more than 20 years of work as a psychotherapist and music therapist in palliative care, 'Ciranda' brings people together to reflect on loss, grief, love and connection.
It creates a welcoming space of connection and shared humanity, where stories can be named, witnessed and shared with compassion.
These familiar stories of loss, hope and meaning gently invite the audience to reflect on existential themes and on their own experience in the face of suffering.
Why storytelling
We can learn about human suffering by reading psychological theory. But the abstract world of ideas and concepts can create distance from lived emotional experience.
Early in their training, health care professionals are often encouraged to disconnect from their feelings in order to witness and care for people in intense suffering. Yet to offer compassionate care, a person also needs to stay connected to their feelings in a grounded and sustainable way.
The narratives we create in life are central to how we feel connected to ourselves and to the world around us.
How can we cultivate a relationship with pain, loneliness, loss and death, without being consumed by fear and hopelessness? How close can we get to suffering without losing our joy? How can we grieve in a world that often expects a speedy return to normality?
Art and creativity are fundamental human capacities. They offer both a way of coping and a safe medium for experiencing and relating to difficult feelings. 'Ciranda' explores these emotions and creates space for heartache, shared reflection and community.
"Stories are the flesh we put on the bones of the facts of our lives."
Rachel Naomi Remen
What Ciranda offers within a hospice setting
The performance invites people to reflect on loss and grief, love and connection — helping them feel less alone as they navigate sorrow.
Within a hospice setting, this kind of reflective artistic experience can offer families, staff and volunteers a moment of pause. It contributes to compassionate care, emotional resilience and a sense of shared humanity within the caregiving community.
It can support emotional wellbeing, reduce feelings of isolation and foster connection among those living with loss, uncertainty and transition.
"Stories and creative expression are essential tools in caregiving, because they help us understand suffering.."
Rita Charon
Audience Feedback
What touched me most was the sense of welcome, connection and shared humanity that emerged through the experience. Hearing people share their stories so openly created a powerful feeling of belonging and mutual understanding. I left feeling less alone, more connected to others, and reminded of the importance of sharing our stories and witnessing one another with compassion.
Mariana Brasil (Executive Producer)
Watching 'Ciranda' was a deeply moving experience. The way Cris shares her work with people at the end of life and their families, using art, music and poetry as tools for connection and support, brought both lightness and depth to such a delicate subject. The symbolic act of planting seeds stayed with me as a reminder that even in the presence of loss and sorrow, life continues to find ways to grow and flourish.
Najla Andrad (Actor)
The stories and emotions shared in the performance touched me deeply. It was a beautiful and moving experience that created a genuine sense of connection and reflection. I left feeling emotionally enriched, less alone, and reminded of the importance of sharing our stories with one another.
Sandra Babini
With 'Ciranda', Cris unlocked her stories for us. And inside, there was so much we recognised — so much that made us think, 'this is mine too, this is ours'. Thank you for reminding us that when we name something, it enters the world and stops weighing on us alone.
Roberta Lima (Marketing Manager)
Participating in the Ciranda project was a unique experience, from the reception to the theatre play and the conversation circle at the end. Everything was done in such a delicate and welcoming manner. The play is of unparalleled beauty, making one reflect on life and gentler, more loving ways to deal with its finitude. Cris Prade treats this subject in an emotional way, with lightness and a touch of humour. I was deeply moved by the play, and being able to share the feelings that arose with the group during the conversation circle, under Cris's attentive listening, was magical. I highly recommend this experience to remind us of the importance of cherishing every single moment in life, including the very last breath.
Regi Rossi (Psychotherapist)