Dutch Living Library

The Dutch Living Library at the B&E Goulandris Foundation

Saturday December 7 & Sunday December 8, 2024 | 11.00-17.00

The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation and the Embassy of the Netherlands join forces once more as the Dutch Living Library returns to the Foundation’s Library on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024, 11.00 – 17.00. The interactive experience, that will be held for the second time, has been designed to fight against discrimination and highlight social and cultural diversity.

The Dutch Living Library, an initiative of the Embassy of the Netherlands, had its Greek premiere at the B&E Goulandris Foundation in December 2019 and was warmly received. At this unique library, that encourages communication and dialogue, the “books” are actual people who voluntarily share their personal stories and experiences with the public. Every “living book” has a unique story to tell and, just like in a library, the “readers” gain access to new worlds and perceptions.

At the Dutch Living Library visitors have at their disposal a “catalogue” containing the titles and brief descriptions of the “books”, so that they can choose which book they want to “borrow” for approximately 20 minutes. Immigrants, refugees, internet addicts, victims of domestic violence, activists and people who have experienced social exclusion will be some of the “books” that will be present at the B&E Goulandris Foundation’s Library on December 7 and 8. As they share with the readers their experiences, that include discrimination, stereotypes, prejudice and exclusion, a creative dialogue comes to life that promotes understanding, breaks down stereotypes and fights racism.

The Living Library was launched in Denmark in 2000. It was first held in the Netherlands in 2017, upon the initiative of then student Martijn Bergsma, the founder of the Dutch Living Library and takes place in different cities around the Netherlands every year.