A human library with living books will be made available at Yate Library as part of South Gloucestershire Council’s plans to commemorate the Holocaust.
The event takes place on Saturday 28 January between 12.30pm and 4.30pm when members of the public can loan a human book for about 20 minutes and listen to real life experiences such as what it was like to live in 1930s Nazi Germany or fleeing Uganda during the regime of Idi Amin. Plus a representative from the gay community will also be on hand to talk about their experiences of prejudice faced in today’s society.
Human library has been organised in support of Holocaust Memorial Day, a national event which takes place at the end of January each year. It began in Denmark but quickly spread around the world and is aimed at reducing prejudices, improving understanding between communities and giving the opportunity for people to listen to those who have experienced prejudice.
Each of our living books appearing at Yate Library has a compelling story to tell, like Usha Kumar who was a teenager when dictator Idi Amin started deporting the Asian community from Uganda. Usha had to leave her friends and her home behind and get on a plane. Usha said: “We were only allowed to take some clothes and a few personal belongings.” When she arrived in the UK the city of Bath became her first home and she works for South Gloucestershire Council.
Anne MacMillan lives in Winterbourne and was a child in Germany in the 1930s; her parents sensing what was happening in the country decided to take their family to England before the situation deteriorated. She will be sharing her and her family’s experiences of 1930s Germany and why they left.
Cllr James Hunt, executive member for communities, said: “It is important that we mark Holocaust Memorial Day, in South Gloucestershire and around the world to help bring about greater understanding between different cultures. Being able to talk to someone about their experiences is a unique way to develop our understanding of prejudice both in our own communities and in the wider world.”
At the human library, the listener can ask questions at any stage to help find out more about the other person and to gain a better understanding of the subject. Just drop in to the library on Saturday 28 January or make an advance booking on 01454 868006.
Libraries throughout South Gloucestershire will also have displays to mark the day which is commemorated around the world. On the 27th January, we will be lighting candles in the reception areas of the Kingswood, Thornbury and Badminton Road offices and staff will be given the opportunity to observe a minute’s silence as will schools in the district.
Further details about Holocaust Memorial Day including an image database can be found at www.hmd.org.uk
More details about the human library project at www.humanlibrary.org
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