Last week I stood in a crowded room and told more than 50 strangers the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me.

Why?

The old Arab tradition of storytelling is finding its way back into Lebanese (and Swiss) hearts, as regular spoken-word events are becoming increasingly popular in Beirut. An atmospheric venue and a mic is all the storytellers need to create intimate spaces in the bustling capital.

Usually an open mic session is preceded by a set list including experienced entertainers and storytellers (actors, writers, comedians) that sets the mood. As soon as the mic is set up regular urbanites put their shyness aside in order to share real and raw personal stories and thus manage to generate true connection where moments ago there was only an anonymous mass.

Last week, against my better judgement and encouraged by Bettina, I told a story at a storytelling event that had announced shame as the evening’s topic. In case you’re wondering what it was that made me so embarrassed and ashamed, you’ll just have to join me on some other story or poetry night as I might dare speaking up to tell it (or any other story) again.