Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Join musician, retired educator and Folklife Center board member Andy Davis of Brattleboro as he talks about seasonal cycles, mummers plays and his long involvement with the troupe, Nowell Sing We Clear.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Dr. Elisa Järnefelt is an artist, writer and cognitive scientist who has researched religious reasoning. A native of Finland, she lives with her husband and daughter in South Burlington, VT. In our Zoom interview, she talked with us about the winter holidays, and experiencing them from the perspective of her three year old daughter

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. On the first Saturday in January Alison and Joplin Wistar-James of Shelburne, VT have a bonfire...a bonfire made up of over a hundred dried out Christmas trees collected from friends, neighbors and local organizations.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Carl-Erik Westberg about preparing the smorgasbord for Sankta Lucia, a Swedish holiday tradition marking the beginning of the Christmas season.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. United Church of Christ pastor and cartoonist Kurt Shaffert spoke to us about where he’s finding the light this year.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Näri Penson, Winooski resident and retired elementary school teacher, who organized annual Kwanzaa celebrations at the Schoolhouse Learning Center, a holiday commemorating African American heritage and unity.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Elissa Johnk, Lead Minister at the First Congregational Church of Burlington UCC about how her congregation is sharing light and contending with the dark this year.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Folklorist and Champlain College professor, Dr. Kerry Noonan shares her perspectives on winter festivals, the turning seasons and “relaxing into the darkness.”

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Vermont Tibetan community leader Anak Tseten about how his family and community think about light.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Listen to our conversation with Troy Austin of Essex to find out why he covered his car in twinkle lights this year.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Listen to our conversation with Rabbi Amy Small, Senior Rabbi at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Dr. Fred Wiseman is the coordinator of the Vermont Indigenous Heritage Center in Burlington, which organizes events and programs that present and interpret the Vermont indigenous experience to the public.