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Readers flocked to the Dutch Living Library at the Goulandris Foundation over the weekend, bringing a \u201chuman library\u201d to life.<\/p>\n
The initiative, organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, encourages connections through dialogue. Here, the \u201cBooks\u201d are actually people from marginalized communities who have voluntarily come forward to share their personal stories, and readers are eager to discover their stories.<\/p>\n
On Saturday and Sunday, these stories were brought to the forefront, forcing readers to confront the difficult realities experienced by the most vulnerable members of Greek society, whom they may not normally encounter in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
By \u201creading\u201d these Books, others can grow and further develop their sense of empathy, accessing new perceptions of the world in the way these Books experience it.<\/p>\n
The event was originally organized in 2019, but was then canceled due to the pandemic. This year, organizers Natasha Apostolidi and Martha Triantafillou saw an opportunity to revive and revitalize it.<\/p>\n
Dozens of people attended the meeting, where 13 Books were presented, demonstrating the interest in contributing to the visibility of those on the margins of society.<\/p>\n
The issues that were present five years ago have evolved. Today, as we see the growth of various global crises and the intensification of long-standing problems, the Dutch Living Library has been able to represent these newer stories alongside some returning Books. From migrants and refugees to members of the LGBTQ+ community, the library presented a diverse range of stories for readers to explore.<\/p>\n
The idea came about in 2018. Triantafillou\u2019s daughter had told her about a similar project she had come across while working, originally called the \u201cHuman Library.\u201d Apostolidi and Triantafillou credit their network, especially their connections with various nongovernmental organizations, with helping them reach out to their Books.<\/p>\n
They explain, \u201cThe people we contact usually say yes,\u201d demonstrating the power of collaboration in fostering a more just space for all. They also discussed how refreshingly surprising people can be, where one\u2019s ability to be an open book and another\u2019s ability to be receptive to those stories is always an admirable encounter.<\/p>\n
Yet still, precautions and boundaries are set in place given that these are vulnerable stories. The library\u2019s catalogue states, \u201cThe Book is allowed to quit the conversation at any time if she or he feels that a reader has overstepped their privacy or dignity, or if the reader is behaving unpleasantly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moreover, Apostolidi and Triantafillou explained that during their training for the event, they established a signal between the Books and the moderators to communicate when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Fortunately, they have never had to address a situation where these rules had to be enforced.<\/p>\n
Through the Dutch Living Library, readers are further dared to not judge a book by its cover. When launched, the library hosted a Book that was tattooed all over, resembling a burly biker. Triantafillou recalled, \u201cHe looks very tough and scary, but is really a sweetheart,\u201d pointing to the misconceptions drawn from mere appearances. \u201cPeople really enjoyed chatting with him.\u201d It also became an event where parents brought their children to learn from others\u2019 differences.<\/p>\n
Triantafillou described how she saw a mother preface to her young daughter the conversation they would have with that year\u2019s transgender Book, instead of avoiding the encounter. Witnessing these displays of care for others motivates Apostolidi and Triantafillou to continue fostering these encounters through the Living Library. The library serves as a fruitful space of empathetic dialogue and a valuable moment for the community to truly see one another in their wholeness.<\/p>\n
Natalia I. Rodriguez is an intern for Kathimerini English Edition, and a third-year student at the University of Notre Dame, currently studying abroad in Greece with the College Year in Athens program.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n