It's no fairytale ... Walking, talking 'books' on the cards for Durban book fair

A living library with “walking, talking books” is set to provide a unique experience at the upcoming Durban International Book Fair.

The event, at The Globe, Suncoast, from August 9 to 13, is run by the Durban Book Fair, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting reading in Africa’s only Unesco city of literature.

A “living library”, a first for the fair, will allow patrons to “check out walking, talking books”. 

Anivesh Singh, co-founder of the fair, said: “It is a library of human experiences, where readers can engage in one-on-one conversations with 'living books', who act as storytellers and share their personal narratives. 

“Each living book will be available for a scheduled conversation, during which readers can engage in an open and respectful dialogue, ask questions and learn from the book's unique life experiences.”

Singh said the engagement with living books will provide an opportunity for bookworms “to gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives, cultures and life journeys”.

“Now more than ever, we need to learn from the experiences of others, seek advice from those who have been through it and be exposed to individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities.

“The living library aims to challenge stereotypes and break down prejudices. It will play an important role in social cohesion,” he said, adding there are people who have stories to tell which may never make it into a book, but their tales are equally important.

Singh urged individuals to make themselves available to be “best-sellers” at the fair.

“We are making an appeal to individuals who want to share their stories by acting as living books at #DIBF2023 to make contact.

“These living books, like all books, will educate, inform and entertain their readers.”

He added that writers, creatives, exhibitors, researchers, schools, NGOs and government agencies are expected to attend the event.

More than 480 new books have been launched at the fair in the past four years, despite the Covid-19 interruption.

The Living Library concept, which became the Human Library in 2010, originated in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000. It was formed to address people's prejudices by helping them to talk to those they would not normally meet. 

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