The Human Library will operate at the Social Cultural Center of Vyronas – Lambidona from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, within the framework of the festival that takes place from June 27 through to June 29. Specifically, the “library” offers people on loan as books giving visitors the opportunity to speak informally with the “people on loan”, asking questions they would ordinarily feel too timid to ask.

The human books feature the life stories of people who have survived war, who live with handicaps or who are excluded because of the color of their skin or sexual orientation. Put simply, the books are people who volunteer to be put “on loan” in order to expose themselves and be “read”. The idea is to encourage dialogue and break down barriers so that people can deal with their own prejudice.

Naturally, the library contains “living dictionaries” with translators of stories from and into Greek and English as well as people who can use sign language. Childcare facilities are also offered to readers.

The Human Library came to Greece in 2009, however the inception for its creation came in 1993 when five youth from Copenhage, Denmark, wanted to raise awareness against violence after their mutual friend was stabbed in a brutal attack. Following a number of initiatives in this direction, the Human Library started in 2003 and has since spread to many countries and has left a trail of accolades and awards. It is organized by volunteers who work in collaboration with a global network of Human Libraries in Denmark.

The event takes place at Agia Triada Park in the region of Vyronas, Athens. For more information about the Human Library and its international activities, go to http://humanlibrary.org/