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The bibliobox: A safe place for diversity and inclusion in Ottakring
Arwa Elabd opens the "bibliobox" in Ottakring, a space for inclusive literature and community projects for everyone.
The bibliobox: A safe place for diversity and inclusion in Ottakring
In Vienna-Ottakring, Arwa Elabd realized her vision of an inclusive literary world: The Bibliobox is a bookstore that specializes in diverse literature and creates a space for the marginalized. Elabd, who previously taught German and Spanish, quickly noticed that the classical literary canon in schools is very homogeneous. Many voices and stories that stand outside the white, male mainstream simply don't find a place.
The Bibliobox is more than just a bookstore; it acts as a lively meeting place for the community. People aged 15 to 80 come here not only to read books, but also to take part in workshops and literary projects that appeal to both students and teachers. The events are well attended and the book clubs discuss everyday problems and topics that are often pushed into the background.
A place for everyone
The Bibliobox has developed into a “safe space” that people actively help shape. There is no room for exclusion here; On the contrary, the open discussion culture promotes the exchange of experiences and thoughts that are often lost in everyday life. Elabd himself is convinced: “Inclusion is a social task that we have to tackle together.” This idea has also been supported by UNESCO's Salamanca Declaration and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which define the term inclusion and highlight its importance in education.
Inclusion goes beyond the purely educational policy framework. It includes the opening of social organizations and the seriousness of avoiding discrimination and conveying a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, barriers that prevent various groups from accessing literature and culture are still present. The Federal Agency for Civic Education describes inclusion as a process that not only affects certain groups, but also represents a challenge for society as a whole.
Start a new chapter
The Bibliobox is not only a place for reading and learning, but it also offers a platform to discuss topics that are often underrepresented in society. A good knack is required to make the diversity of voices in our culture visible. With Bibliobox, Elabd has created a space where people, regardless of their background, can come together to immerse themselves in a new chapter of literature and culture.
The future looks promising – with a clear focus on inclusion and a sense of community. This is how we manage to break down barriers and give everyone the opportunity to find and raise their voice.
The location of the Bibliobox is located at Rosa-Luxemburg-Gasse 1–9, where the doors are always open to welcome people who want to discover the joy of literature and cultural exchange.