Fight against stereotypes and marginalization: Living Library project held in Maglaj

The Maglaj Public Library and the Institution for Human Rights Protection ‘Independent’ from Zenica, in cooperation with the NGO ‘ToPeeR’ from Doboj, are implementing the project ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover!’, and as part of the project, a Living Library workshop was held in the library, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Unlike a real library, ‘reading’ in the Living Library is actually a conversation with a ‘living book’. In this unique library, books are people who, due to their socio-economic or cultural origin/status, gender, age,
orientation/beliefs, appearance, etc., are stigmatized and/or in a marginalized position.

Reading such a book through establishing a constructive dialogue is perhaps the best way to overcome stereotypes and
prejudices towards others/those who are different. In other words, everyone is invited to open the ‘cover’ of the book, rather than judging the book by its cover.

The goal of the project is to contribute to the promotion of a culture of openness towards others, peaceful coexistence, and the improvement of relations between different groups/communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with full respect for diversity and the development of intercultural dialogue, especially among young people.