Living library project challenges discrimination by opening up real life experiences to readers
26 June 2008
This AIDS Memorial Day (18 May), Alliance Ukraine jointly organised an awareness-raising day with a difference – a ‘living library’ project, where the ‘books’ were real people with stories of their own to share.
Mariana Manakova, a volunteer with Alliance Ukraine tells us more about the project:
The main difference between ordinary libraries and the living library project is that the books are people – people whose life stories are worthy of bestsellers, covering love, war, danger, secrets, diversity, struggle and the human spirit.
By bringing together the general population with people who are not always accepted by society – due to their race, religion, profession, health, sexual or social status – the living library project aims to address stigma and discrimination against vulnerable groups.
When a reader comes to the living library, they have to register. They then choose a ‘book’ from the catalogue and borrow it for 30 minutes for a chat.
Between 11.00am and 5.00pm on AIDS Memorial Day, in one of Kiev’s central parks, more than 200 people came to meet with the 22 people telling their stories. The event attracted extensive media coverage, including newspaper, TV, internet and radio announcements.
Book titles included
- Woman living with HIV – an active member of an organisation of people living with HIV talked about taking control of her life and achieving her goals.
- Commercial sex worker – surviving as a homeless sex worker in Ukraine.
- One world, one race – a representative of Kiev’s Nigerian community talked about how, after a racially motivated attack, he launched a campaign against racism and xenophobia in Ukraine.
One of the living books, Nataliya, who works for the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV, used the opportunity to speak about her HIV status. “I am not a victim”, she announced. “I live like anyone else, and it gives me strength. It is impossible to forget about your status, to throw it away or to wipe it from your consciousness – you need to learn to live with it and live happily.”
Another of the books, Sarah from Somalia, talked about how she arrived illegally in Ukraine along with five other people. She was looking for protection from the military conflict in her home country and seeking a better life from her “country without a future”. “Maybe some day peace will come to my country,” she said, “but I am here at the moment and I am really glad to feel assistance and support.” Sarah hopes to be reunited with her mother and three sisters, and dreams of becoming a secretary.
“Improving communication between people helps us to respond to stereotypes, discrimination and social inclusion,” said Olga Golichenko, Alliance Ukraine’s Policy and Advocacy officer, and one of the project’s organisers.
“The event was not just about HIV – it was also about diversity and interpersonal communication, which is essential for a successful HIV response for both individuals and society.”
Anya Dovgopol, one of the living books, was convinced that this had been the best project this spring: “The next time people make judgments about certain groups, they will remember the book’s face, and will surely change their opinion to a better one.”
The event was organised by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine, the UN volunteers’ office in Ukraine, Kiev social services, the European Youth Parliament in Ukraine and MTV Ukraine. The living library project has also taken place in Poland, Finland, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.
“I was convinced I knew everything and had no prejudice towards these people. After reading the first book, I realised how wrong I was. We learned a lot of new information.”
Living library reader, western Europe.
“I want to shake hands with the people who organised everything and express deep gratitude. I think we need many more of such events”
Feedback from the living library project’s blog.
Related resources
Find out more about the project in English, or in Ukrainian and Russian.
View photos of the event by Taras Khimchak.
