Human Library
Mum who brought her daughter to talk with young entrepreneur, groups of students coming from high schools, two friends not knowing what to expect, Peace Corp volunteer in a need for English speaking book were just some of the visitors who visited 2nd edition of Human Library organized by Volunteers Centre Skopje on 27 November 2014 in City Library ‘Braka Miladinovci’ - Skopje.
The first Human Library which was organized on the Volunteer Day – 5th December 2013 was visited by 200 visitors, this edition brought double number of interested “readers” which tells about the success of the project.
“I was surprise that I can also discriminate…”
A comment from one of the books, after the living library was closed, made us think about the need of this kind of events. Events that give everyone a possibility to challenge their perception, stereotypes and made people realize that nobody is stereotype free. On 27 November 2014 it was for second time when the team of Volunteers Centre Skopje organized Human Library with main goal to show that in Skopje are living people with many different stories who see the city by different eyes - by eyes of vegan and animal rights activist, guy with Down syndrome, feminist, ex-alcoholics, person with handicap, EVS volunteer, Muslim girl wearing scarf, Jew, blind person, parkour guy, young entrepreneur, homosexual…
“I was positively surprised by the event…”
If you are now asking if the event met our expectations, our answer would be: “Yes, definitely…!” It was not just the feedback from the visitors that made us realize that this kind of events are needed and that people are open to explore new perspectives and listen to the stories of others. Moreover, it was feedback from the books – people who agree to share their stories with anyone who will ask them a question that made us motivated to continue to work and strengthened our decision to organize Living Libraries also in other cities all around Macedonia, hopefully next year.
