Sunday 7th of February was long, intensive and full of emotions. It started early in the morning for some of us, doing a workshop about migration, what actually was an appetizer, waiting for the main dish that took place in the afternoon, a Human Library with a specific theme, refugees and migrants.
It was a different day for all of us who took part of it, receiving some calls from some of the residents of Kofinou, asking when are we going to pick them up, how are we going there...something special was in the air that day.
Migration workshop
When I got there, some of the people were already waiting, ready, prepared and excited with the plan, some of them needed their time to get ready and put their best clothes, finally, after many months, they could have the chance to go to Nicosia and meet people from a completely different background and environment.
I remember the trip in the taxi, when one of them saw Nicosia for the same time and exclaimed, "This is like Beirut, but much cleaner". Looking through the windows, asking where the center was, where our place would be where Lidra Street is... But totally determined with his task: "I will deliver the message"
Finally we arrived to Ifantourgeio, where the venue took place, all of us where hungry, so before starting anything lunch was needed. I remember the faces and the shine in the eyes of the Palestinian-Lebanese when having a lahmajoun, drinking a whiskey and having the feeling of being living a normal life, out of the context of the camp.
But not only people from Kofinou camp participated, also other migrants who struggle for survival in Nicosia, who have many things to say and to tell, and a story that must be told. When talking with one of them a few weeks before the Human Library, he told me: "I don't exist anymore, I cannot work, I cannot study, I cannot do anything, I cannot get money, I cannot go anyhere. Just eating and sleeping, like a baby, too much time to think and nothing to do with my time". Reasons enough to count on him for the event.
And then it started, with many doubts at the beginning, uncertainty about what to say, or what to ask, or how to do. Doubts that were going away as they felt more comfortable telling their stories and being listened and understood. "I delivered the message, to Cypriots, now they know who we are and what we want to do here. Now they know we are not terrorist, we just want a future for our kids".
As the venue was getting to the end, the tiredness and exhaustion was obvious in some of the "books", too many times telling a painful story that they had experienced is never easy, and, as a reader said: "after reading two books in a row you need a break". Now just imagine if it's your own experience and you have to reveal it again and again.
Finally, the Human Library ended, then time for dinner with all the people who organize it and the "books". It was the perfect closure, forgetting the labeling of being refugee, Cypriot, African or Spanish, just people with people having dinner together, enjoying the end of a long, intensive and beautiful day.
A day to remember for all of us, a day when their voices were heard, when the Cypriots and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers could mingle, listen to each other and understand each other. The seed is planted, now is everybody's task to take care of it and let it grow, a better future is possible, for all of us, it's us who can make it possible.
It was a different day for all of us who took part of it, receiving some calls from some of the residents of Kofinou, asking when are we going to pick them up, how are we going there...something special was in the air that day.
Migration workshop
I remember the trip in the taxi, when one of them saw Nicosia for the same time and exclaimed, "This is like Beirut, but much cleaner". Looking through the windows, asking where the center was, where our place would be where Lidra Street is... But totally determined with his task: "I will deliver the message"
Finally we arrived to Ifantourgeio, where the venue took place, all of us where hungry, so before starting anything lunch was needed. I remember the faces and the shine in the eyes of the Palestinian-Lebanese when having a lahmajoun, drinking a whiskey and having the feeling of being living a normal life, out of the context of the camp.
But not only people from Kofinou camp participated, also other migrants who struggle for survival in Nicosia, who have many things to say and to tell, and a story that must be told. When talking with one of them a few weeks before the Human Library, he told me: "I don't exist anymore, I cannot work, I cannot study, I cannot do anything, I cannot get money, I cannot go anyhere. Just eating and sleeping, like a baby, too much time to think and nothing to do with my time". Reasons enough to count on him for the event.
And then it started, with many doubts at the beginning, uncertainty about what to say, or what to ask, or how to do. Doubts that were going away as they felt more comfortable telling their stories and being listened and understood. "I delivered the message, to Cypriots, now they know who we are and what we want to do here. Now they know we are not terrorist, we just want a future for our kids".
As the venue was getting to the end, the tiredness and exhaustion was obvious in some of the "books", too many times telling a painful story that they had experienced is never easy, and, as a reader said: "after reading two books in a row you need a break". Now just imagine if it's your own experience and you have to reveal it again and again.
Finally, the Human Library ended, then time for dinner with all the people who organize it and the "books". It was the perfect closure, forgetting the labeling of being refugee, Cypriot, African or Spanish, just people with people having dinner together, enjoying the end of a long, intensive and beautiful day.
A day to remember for all of us, a day when their voices were heard, when the Cypriots and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers could mingle, listen to each other and understand each other. The seed is planted, now is everybody's task to take care of it and let it grow, a better future is possible, for all of us, it's us who can make it possible.
