Normally, people visit a library if they want to borrow a book. But for some time now, apart from their traditional functions, libraries perform other, less conventional ones. Well, in a “Living Library” it is possible to borrow someone who is alive! It has, of course, nothing to do with “human trafficking”. The whole idea is aimed at breaking cultural stereotypes by meeting people of other nationalities and religions.
This project has already proved very successful in many places of the world, so now the time has come for Krakow. If anyone has any questions concerning other cultures he or she can receive an answer straight from the horse’s mouth and check whether the stereotypes are true. The motto of the entire event is “ let’s stop talking about stereotypes, why don’t we talk to them!” The whole event has been organized by the Association of the Informal education ‘Meritum’, Voivodeship Public Library, Institute of Regional Studies Jagiellonian University, Polish Humanitarian Organisation, Volunteer Centre of Małopolska and the Council of Scientific Circles of the Jagiellonian University.
The unusual “books” will be available especially (but not only) in the Voivodeship Public Library in the Rajska street. They will involve visitors from Macedonia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Romania, Korea, African countries, Turkey, and people of the Romani, Armenian and Jewish origin. Apart from those meetings, all people interested might take part in discussions, dance performances, exhibitions and film shows in various places of Krakow.