Strategy of the University of Lodz 2021-2030 reads:
Diversity is the strength of the University of Lodz. Respect and understanding for different opinions and attitudes, as well as cultural openness and worldview tolerance constitute the foundations of our activities.
The implementation of the DYWERS project, which is being carried out this year and increases awareness of social diversity, constitutes a practical dimension of the strategy. The Living Library, i.e. an activity supporting human rights and social dialogue, during which it was possible to talk to people belonging to minorities, marginalized and discriminated groups became a part of it.
The name metaphorically refers to an actual library, but in this case visitors (readers) could borrow Living Books, i.e. talk for 30 minutes with a selected person who somehow does not fit into the social framework, is sometimes subjected to strong stereotyping, excluded or discriminated against.
Guests of the Living Library could choose the "item" they were interested in from the catalogue, which included as many as 14 Living Books on Saturday (22 June of the current year) at the Biedermann’s Palace. Each of the Living Books shared their experience and a unique, often difficult story to tell.
Full photo report of the event is available on the university's Flickr (go to the album)
Who could you meet? Below we present the full catalogue.
- A person who has escaped the crisis of homelessness,
- A non-binary person,
- A young autistic self-advocate,
- An adult child of an alcoholic: life with ACoA Syndrome,
- A mom of a non-binary transgender person,
- A person with ADHD,
- A Jew,
- A girl from the system outside the system,
- A disabled person using a wheelchair,
- A foster mother of a (now adult) boy with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD),
- A streetworker,
- An integrated Ukrainian woman,
- A person with Tourette's syndrome,
- A neurotypical person.
Piotr Rembowski (in the photo above), who coordinated this year's event:
The Living Library creates the opportunity to meet the "other". Someone we don't deal with on a daily basis, or at least we think so. The visitors could confront their previous prejudices and sometimes strongly rooted stereotypes with a real person. Each Living Library is not only a lesson for guests – these types of meetings are also an opportunity for reflection for the Books themselves.
Iryna, who was a Living Book entitled "Zintegorvana Ukrainka" [An integrated Ukrainian woman], talks about her participation in the following way
For me, participating in the Living Library was, above all, an opportunity to meet people with open minds and share the values that are close to me. The Living Library provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself not only in the history of Books, but also in the motives of readers who want to read these Books.
The Living Library is a good opportunity to talk about social topics that are visible in public space but are rarely discussed in everyday conversations. For me, the added value of this event was the mutual exchange of experiences and learning about what I do not experience or understand myself, but I see in the experiences of others
– adds another Living Book.
The Living Library is also an opportunity for students involved in the organisation of the event to gain new experiences.
Organising such events is very important because it shows how overcoming our own discomfort broadens our views of the world
– says Julia, a volunteer.
I think there should be more such events, because there are many people who should teach openness and empathy
– adds the co-organiser on behalf of the University of Lodz.
The Living Library was organised as part of this year's Fotofestiwal, which the University of Lodz has been cooperating with for over two decades. The project was coordinated by student Piotr Rembowski, and the entire project was supervised by members of the American Studies and Media Student Science Club at the Faculty of International and Political Studies of the University of Lodz.
You can find more information about the DYWERS initiative on the project website (go to the project website).
Edit and photos: Bartosz Kałużny (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
The mission of the University of Lodz is to conduct reliable research and actively disseminate facts and research results so as to wisely educate future generations, be useful to society and courageously respond to the challenges of the modern world. Scientific excellence is always our best compass. Our values include: courage, curiosity, commitment, cooperation and respect.