The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation and the Embassy of the Netherlands are once again joining forces to organise for the second time at the Foundation’s Library the Dutch Living Library, an experiential activity aimed at combating discrimination and promoting social and cultural diversity, which will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 11.00 – 17.00.

The Dutch Living Library, an initiative of the Embassy of the Netherlands, was held for the first time in Greece at the B&E Goulandris Foundation in December 2019 and was embraced by the public. In this unique library, which encourages communication and dialogue, the “books” are the people themselves who voluntarily share their personal stories and experiences with the general public. Each “living book” has a unique story to share and, just like in a library, “readers” gain access to new worlds and perceptions.

At the Dutch Living Library, visitors have access to a «catalogue» with the titles and brief descriptions of the “books” and choose the one they would like to “borrow” for about 20 minutes. Immigrants, refugees, online addiction, domestic violence, activists and people experiencing social exclusion are some of the “books” that will be on display on December 7 and 8 in the Library of the B&E Goulandris Foundation. As they share with readers their experiences, which include discrimination, stereotypes, prejudice and exclusion, a creative dialogue is encouraged that promotes understanding, addresses stereotypes and combats racism.

The Living Library is an action that started in Denmark in 2000. In the Netherlands the action was first held in 2017 on the initiative of the then student Martijn Bergsma, founder of the Dutch Living Library, and is hosted every year in different cities in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Living Library at the B&E Goulandris Foundation
Saturday 7 & Sunday  8 December| 11.00-17.00

Participation is free, but you may wish to enroll ny accessing goulandris.gr

Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation
Eratosthenous 13, Athens 11635
Τ: 210 725 2895
[email protected] | goulandris.gr