Pearl Cove Library presents: The Power of Community – a Human Living Library Event

     What is a Human Living Library?

The basic concept of Human Living Libraries is self-explanatory: the books can be any one person who is willing to tell their personal story or a faction of their own story in a one-on-one conversation, which normally goes on for no shorter than thirty minutes, as one can hardly have a meaningful conversation about anything in less time than that.

The first Human Living Libraries event was part of a project for Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen in 2000. Their goal was to challenge stereotypes and talk about subjects often considered taboo.

More information about this global initiative: Human Living Library website

Credit: Kate Lundy via flickr

    About the event

This event is featuring the following four human books of different minority backgrounds living in Australia, the theme of the event is combating isolation, unemployment, racism, cultural differences and general loneliness that comes with belonging to a minority group and the power of community raising up to lend a helping hand. This event is to bring culturally diverse people together to start a conversation and make a change, as it has been proven in the past that when the sons and daughters of many cultures work together is when the real magic happens.

More information about this global observance: United Nations website

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    About the books

One of the books is a first generation Chinese migrant who has built a restaurant franchise in the region,
Our second book is an Indigenous Australian musician who busks for a living and teaches music to children in his community (and is married to a first generation European migrant, thus knows each side of being part of a minority extremely well),
Our third book is Iranian, whose family fled Iran in the early 2000s, she is completing her doctorate through a scholarship, rising to success from poverty and hardship,
Our fourth living book is from the UK, is a university professor in his 50s and has the knowledge of what it is like to migrate to Australia from an English speaking country.

The event takes place on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Day.

When:                               21st May 2022
What time:                       9:00am to 6:00pm
Where:                              Pearl Cove Library, Pearl Room

Tickets:                             $10/person
Bookings essential at:      Eventbrite or at the Library

Conditions of entry:        This event is CovidSafe.
                                           Facemasks and Vaccination Certificates are a must.

Refreshments:                  There will be water, coffee, tea, biscuits and cultural finger food available at                                                           the event (this is included in the price).

Age bracket:                     14 and over welcome!

Zsófia Boltos-Varga, 807088149

The day the books come to life

Did you ever find yourself wondering what life in another country might look like? Or how other cultures view local customs? Here’s your chance: “Hear their story” is a human library event where you can talk to real individuals with various backgrounds and amazing experiences to share.

At its core, a human library is an event where people can borrow “living books”, usually volunteers with various backgrounds or representatives of certain groups and, as such, very interesting stories to tell. Human books can be interacted with and present the “reader” with an opportunity to ask specific questions or engage in meaningful conversation.

“Hear their story” focuses on diversity and inclusiveness and is an amazing opportunity to engage with a rich, growing cultural community.

The event is part of Harmony Week, a celebration of Australia’s multiculturalism which promotes respect and belonging for everyone, regardless of their background.

Another part of this event is the “Common Grounds” exhibition, which showcases paintings and photographs presented and explained by the artists themselves. It's a chance to get a peek inside an artist’s mindset and get a better understanding of their art and its meaning.

There will be 10 “living books” available at the event, from official NSW Government and Community representatives to refugees and artists. Here are some of them

• Omar Al Kassab - a Syrian refugee, activist and humanitarian campaigner
• Annette Webb - an Aboriginal Dunghetti artist born in Sydney
• Nasim Nasr - an Iranian artist and photographer
• Iman Shirinia -  an Iranian refugee, now member of the ACT Parks Rural Fire Brigade.

Just book your slot below, show up, pick a “book” and listen. It’s as easy as talking to any other person, no previous experience required but a certain amount of curiosity is encouraged 😉

Each person that signs up will have a dedicated 30 minute slot with a human book of their choosing. The number of available slots is limited so bookings are essential.

See you then!

Alis-Iuliana Jitarescu

⏰When: Monday, March 22, 2022, 12pm - 3pm

🗺 Where: Pearl Cove Library, The Pearl Rom

👉 Bookings: contact@pearlcovelibrary.com.au

📭 Contact:

Event manager

Maria Smith

Tel: 0423 654 789

Email: m.smith@pearlcovelibrary.com.au

Exploring #EachForEqual: Pearl Cove for International Women’s Day

Exploring #EachForEqual

 Pearl Cove for International Women’s Day  

Image source(s): © 2018 by Human Library Australia & Unsplash

Let's start a conversation.

Pearl Cove Library is proud to present, The Human Library: Exploring #EachForEqual, to celebrate the diverse women of Pearl Cove for International Women's Day 2020.

When: Sunday 8th March, 2020 

Time: 12 pm to 4 pm 

Where: Pearl Cove Library, Library courtyard 

Cost: FREE (+ bookings required)

Make a booking: Eventbrite

Human Library is a free event, but bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Book via Eventbrite.

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What's the Human Library?

The Human Library is an event that encourages real conversations with real people. It is a safe space to ask questions about difficult issues. An opportunity to challenge stereotypes, a chance to unjudge someone.

At this event, you can choose to "borrow" a person for a rare 30-minute conversation, and have a chance to have a meaningful conversation with someone you may never have had a chance to before. 

#EachForEqual

This year's International Women's Day theme is #EachForEqual, an initiative to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. It's aim is to help create a gender equal world. 

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Meet the ladies:

 Tanya Plibersek 

• Tanya is currently our Shadow Minister for Education and Training. She had previously held a position as our Minister for the Status of Women between 2007-10, and also worked in the Domestic Violence Unit at the NSW Ministry for the Status and Advancement of Women. She understands the balance between her high-demand work life, and being a wife and a mother of three.

 May W. 

• May is an Australian Aboriginal Eastern Arrernte artist. Her paintings are vibrant watercolours of the outback, using vivid abstract designs and symbols of traditional Aboriginal art. Her colourful journey from a remote town to the bustling city, and the challenges it brings, is a true Australian story.

 Seo-Hyun C. 

• Seo-Hyun is an Australian-born Korean who juggles life as a single parent. Between her duties as a P&C committee member, her regular night job and parenting duties, she brings a humble story of fierce dedication and determination.

 Alex L. 

• Alex provides a unique glimpse into the idea of identity as this queer, non-binary, transgender woman is breaking down all the barriers, and exploring the meaning of the invisible disability.

 Nabila M. 

• Nabila is a young refugee from Iraq with a unique story about changing countries, contrasting cultures, and overcoming challenges. Her youthful perspective also provides an interesting insight in the difficulties that the generation of today face.

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For more information, visit the following links:

• International Women's Day: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
• Human Library Australia: https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/

For any enquiries about the event, contact the Event Organiser, Jennifer Huang, at 9217 XXXX or email at events@pearlcove.nsw.gov.au.

Human Living Library: don’t judge a book by its cover

Shining a light on Endometriosis

What is a Human Living Library? Human Living Library gives you the chance to talk to Human Books" (real people), ask questions and find out about other peoples lives in ways you never thought possible.

This event is shining a light on Endometriosis. More than 830,000 (more than 10%) of Australian women suffer from endometriosis at some point in their life with the disease often starting in teenagers. There is a 7 to 12-year delay in diagnosis. The “books” have all experienced endometriosis in different ways and this human library gives you the chance to “borrow a human book” and join in respectful conversation about difference and diversity; where difficult questions are expected, encouraged and answered.

This event will be held on 28th March. March is world EndoMarch month, which campaigns to raise money for research and awareness of endometriosis.

You can find out more about Human Living Library project within Australia here. Subscribe here to be the first to know about our future events and exhibitions.

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Event Details

When:

        - Wednesday, 28^th March 2020, 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Where:

-            - The Library, Ground floor
           Pearl Cove Library

How to book:

        - To register please email: events@pearlcovelibrary.com.au

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There are three simple rules for a reading:

1. Readers may raise any topic or ask absolutely any question.
    Be curious. Be respectful.

2. It is a conversation - the human book can ask questions in return.

3. Either party can decline to answer or end the reading at any time.

Bookings are required and each session runs for 20 minutes.

 

Books
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Bridget Hustwaite
Triple J Radio Presenter
Sufferer of Endometriosis

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Emma Watkins
Wiggles performer
Sufferer of Endometriosis

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Jenny King
High School Student
Sufferer of Endometriosis

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Chiara Phillips
Emergency Department Nurse
Pearl Cove Public Hospital

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Joyce Payne
Gynaecologist

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Kristin Scarfe
Safe Work Australia

 

 

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Contact event organiser

Contact Phone: (02) 9254 8745
Contact Email: pcl@pearlcovelibrary.com.au

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Michelle Johnson