Taiwan's Version of "Human Library" Opens; 14 Real-Life Books to Appear at Simple Life Festival

Reported by You Tzu-Ju / Taipei

Are indigenous people really good at singing and drinking? Do people with full-body tattoos all belong to gangs? Do foreign spouses necessarily have low education levels? Have these prejudices ever existed in your mind? The left-brain creative marketing team, which focuses on social welfare issues, collaborated with a Danish team to launch the "Human Library" in Taiwan, hoping that the public will "borrow" a "human book." Through the firsthand experiences and stories shared by each unique "human book," the project aims to break down many existing societal biases, encouraging people to embrace diversity and eliminate misunderstandings and harm.

 
▲ The Human Library has gathered 14 "human books," using real stories to dispel prejudice. (Photo / Provided by Left Brain Marketing)

The Human Library originated in 1993 when a young man named Ronni Abergel, living in Denmark, witnessed his friend being seriously injured in a racial altercation. This experience led him to reflect on the issue of racial conflict, and he subsequently founded the "Stop The Violence" organization in Copenhagen to promote anti-violence efforts, encourage dialogue, and build relationships. He introduced the concept of the "Human Library," allowing people to communicate face-to-face with "human books" to eliminate misunderstandings. Since the year 2000, more than 30 countries around the world have established their own versions of the "Human Library."

On December 6 and 7 at the Braveheart Bookstore during the Simple Life Festival, Taiwan's version of the "Human Library" officially launched. Cheng Shih-Yu, CEO of Left Brain Creative Marketing, stated that this event invites human books with diverse life experiences to communicate and share with the public face-to-face, making reading a more tangible experience. She also hopes that through such dialogues, deep-seated prejudices and stereotypes can be resolved, guiding Taiwanese society toward greater freedom, inclusiveness, and openness.

The "human books" featured this time include Ah Xiang and Ah Ming, a thirty-year gay couple from the Isabel Bakery advertisement; Ruan Jinhong, a documentary filmmaker who is also a foreign spouse; Deng Peizhi, a color-blind red dot designer; Wen Tzu-Yun, an un-stereotypically feminine Asian Games karate gold medalist; Huang Yizhong, a high school civic ethics teacher who participated in social movements on the streets; Ah Hsiung, a heavily tattooed American engineer and gentle father; Lin Wei?, an indigenous person who neither drinks nor sings; and Fang Hsiao-ai, a stylish and beautiful female engineer, among others.

Each of the fourteen human books in the Human Library has a unique story and will engage in face-to-face conversations with attendees at the Simple Life Festival. The event invites everyone to sit down for a cup of coffee and honestly confront their own biases, bravely breaking down societal prejudices. "Everyone is a book, and every book offers something valuable" is the core philosophy of the Human Library. By sitting down face-to-face with a human book, listening to their life experiences and outlooks, and asking questions that are often difficult to voice, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the uniqueness and perspectives of each human book.

Human Library Visit Information
From 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on December 6 and 7, Braveheart Bookstore exhibition area, Simple Life Festival (Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Taipei)