What is Living book concept? The concept is of a living book that lends people rather than books. The ‘Books’ are people who have experienced prejudice, social exclusion or stigma, and they are ‘borrowed’ by ‘Readers’ who can ask any question they like, to both learn about the other person and also challenge their own prejudices. The idea is simple and intuitive and is based on the notion that one-to-one conversations will allow a personal experience of sharing, questioning and reflection that can radically shift perceptions. People who have taken part in these events elsewhere have reported that they can be profound experiences for all. When you enter the library, you will see a list of human ‘books’ that are available. You can discuss the process with the librarians, and arrange to borrow someone. You will be introduced to your ‘book’, the guidelines read out, and you will be left to have a conversation. After your session ends, you can choose to borrow another ‘book’ if you wish. CIM horyzonty and its volounteers are taking part to a human library, actually going on in Poznan, since the beginning of september. The first meeting was in Ladne Rzeczy, where a group composed by people from all over the world started to know each others and than create some stories or talking about personal experiences. The second meeting was in a high school close to Lech Poznan’s stadium where different classes of different ages shared experiences and opinions with the volounteers and interested foreigner people. There will be other meetings in the next weeks about this concept so if you are interested you are invited and you can contact Salvatore Bernardi on facebook if you want to know the place, the date and time of the next meeting, zapraszamy!!
Salvatore Bernardi
