It is being heralded as a safe and innovative way for people to have an open conversation about extremely touchy subjects, or just learn about an interesting stranger.
The Living Library program offers the public a chance to sign out individuals known as “books” with a specific knowledge base for a conversation. No topic is off limits – drug addiction, anarchy, rape or religion – as long as the result is a productive discussion. It launched in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000, is free and spread to more than 30 countries, including Canada.
The idea is to challenge people’s boundaries and perceptions by exposing them to individuals they may not otherwise meet.