In cooperation with the Catholic School Center Ivan Merz from Banja Luka, three online Living Libraries were held in the period from January 29 to February 1. 60 students aged 16-18 had the opportunity to listen to stories from five living books, and on that occasion the students were presented with the books “When Silence Screams”, (book from Maglaj), “Out of Control” (book from Banja Luka), “Face to Face” (a book from Bugojno), “A Boy from the Shadows” (a book from Bugojno), and “Choose your Way” (a book from Tuzla).
The living library works in the most direct way to suppress and overcome discrimination among young people in BiH. Like any other library, this one works according to the principle of renting books, only this time the “books” are living people.
The stories about growing up and the challenges that young people from Bugojno, Maglaj, Banja Luka and Tuzla faced during schooling and in their daily work encouraged the high school students to open up to those who are different and to start actively thinking about the prejudices and stereotypes they have towards certain ethnic groups based on affiliation or disability.
The Online Living Library is part of the project “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” which aims to use the concept of a living library to build a framework for conversation among young people that can break down prejudices, counter hate speech against marginalized groups and challenge existing stereotypes and prejudices in inter-ethnic environments in the country, at the same time using the storytelling method to promote reconciliation among young people. The project is financially supported by the Embassy of the United States of America in BiH.
