People are like books

"Living Library" in the creative center "XII-plus"

Representatives of various subcultures, ethnic groups, social, religious groups, people whose way of life is often perceived with hostility by society - they all came together and spent the whole day answering any - acute and even unpleasant - questions from the guests. The participants of the meeting became “living books”, and the guests became readers of the “Living Library”. This form of social work, aimed at creating an atmosphere of goodwill and tolerance in society, was invented in Copenhagen, and has been traveling around Europe for almost ten years. It was held in St. Petersburg for the fifth time.

“This is an educational, educational event, it gives a voice to those whom society does not hear,” says Boris Romanov, one of the organizers of the “Living Library” in St. Petersburg. “Here, like in any other library, you can order a book and read it - only a book becomes a living person who answers your questions, conducts a dialogue with you. Many of the invitees are people whom society does not accept, does not hear, who are forced to live with it in some kind of contradiction.”

Among those invited to participate in the “Living Library” this time were a migrant worker, a hitchhiker, a repatriate, an Orthodox and Muslim woman, an HIV-positive person and a person with a disability, a transgender person, a feminist, a homosexual, a mother of many children, an official, and a police officer. Each of them sat at his own table, where visitors sat down.

"Were you born into a Muslim family?" "How did your parents feel about this?" "Why Islam?" A pretty young woman in a Muslim headscarf answered numerous questions from her interlocutors calmly and kindly. “I was a believer before, I was a Christian, I believed that God is one for everyone,” Kamalia smiles. “But I was always interested in the questions of the dogmas of the church: if God is one, then why do God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit exist separately? And why do I need a mediator in faith? But they told me: I just need to believe. But that didn’t suit me. Of course, I approached these questions from a logical point of view, and then I realized that Islam is my faith. My family initially reacted to this. not very well, they were worried, but over time they realized that everything had only changed for the better.”

Young people sit down at the table. “For example, I am an active atheist,” says one of them. “For me, Islam is not a creative religion, I want to do something, create. But in my opinion, Islam is a religion that destroys. Look how Muslims are destroying now.” ancient cities! “But how many centuries did these temples and cities stand, how many caliphates were there and they didn’t bother anyone!” another guy picks up. “And only now fanatics appeared who destroyed everything!..”

A small crowd gathered around a table with a "Transsexual" sign. "Weren't you afraid to take hormones?" “How did this affect your health?” “Have you realized for a long time that you are different from others?” "How did your friends react to this?"

“They scared me - if you start taking hormones, you’ll be drawn to guys,” Veronica laughs. “I started taking them, but I wasn’t attracted to guys. On the contrary, my health has improved. From the age of twelve I had suspicions, feelings about what was happening to me something special, but there was a long period of self-denial, then the rejection began to collapse, interest in myself increased, and I accepted myself for who I am. Unfortunately, I had to dilute the previous environment with new friends - many old friends just don’t understand. me. My girlfriend’s parents are trying to understand me, but my own are not. At first we also quarreled with the girl, then she said - since we have lived together for so many years, I will accept you as you are. She even said that it has become easier to communicate with me. the psyche has become more stable. Every person has the right to look the way he likes, and everyone decides for himself who he is, what he is, how he wants to behave.”

Hitchhiker Denis talked about traveling around the country and the world: he had already traveled almost 400 thousand kilometers along the roads of Russia and visited 11 countries, mainly in Asia. A supporter of a raw food diet convinced that if you eat according to this system, you can forget about illnesses and troubles with being overweight. And that life on cereal sprouts and soy milk can be much more fulfilling than for those who are used to eating cutlets and broths.

To the pitiful, wary glances, the young man, sitting at a table with a sign saying “Person with Disabilities,” responded with a friendly smile and laughter. Alexey has multiple sclerosis - a disease that breaks even the strongest, strong-willed people.

“Life is not easy in general,” Alexey smiles. “I work seven days a week - I teach English, and I’m also a development manager for youth hotels. It is believed that memory suffers with multiple sclerosis, but this is just one of the common stereotypes, and I like to joke about I joked about this topic once in front of my mother, she was very upset... I had to explain that this was a joke. My mother was my hero - in the first months, when I hardly saw and walked poorly, she inspired me and supported me. My life, of course, changed a lot. but no one turned away from me, everyone helped me. Yes, I had to quit school, but I continue to work with children - I teach English, stage plays, I continue to do business. Even though I can’t walk well, I’m doing great! Everyone laughs in class – the synergy of positive emotions helps a lot!”

The organizers plan to hold the next “Living Library” at the end of March, on the eve of the “Side by Side” festival.

“We would like to bring these people, whom society now prefers not to see or hear, out of the shadows,” says Boris Romanov. “We want to make sure that they are understood, heard, accepted as they are. We want society to got rid of fears and stereotypes."

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