Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Kölnisches Stadtmuseum | Minoritenstraße 13 | 50667 Cologne

 

Have you ever imagined borrowing a person instead of a book? That’s exactly what the Living Library does! In this interactive format, people share their personal stories in small-group conversations — inviting others to listen, ask questions, and reflect.

In public discussions, migration is often addressed in an abstract, politicized, or problem-oriented way. This makes it all the more valuable to give voice to people’s personal stories. The Living Library provides an ideal framework for this: instead of talking about “migrants,” people with migration experience themselves are heard. This creates direct encounters that help break down stereotypes and prejudices, foster empathy, and build understanding for individual life paths.

You will get the chance to speak with:

• A first-generation American with Jewish-German roots whose family fled Cologne in 1938, now exploring identity and remembrance between Germany and the U.S.
• A mother who arrived from Dnipro, Ukraine, with her daughter six months ago and is now building a new life through school, language learning, and connections.
• A queer person from the Middle East sharing their journey of discovering and embracing their identity, and what freedom has come to mean along the way.
• A former guest worker who came to Cologne in 1966 as part of the first generation of Turkish labor migrants, later working as a social counselor and engineer.
• An American who left the U.S. in 2002 and again in 2019, seeking community, and spaces for artistic and cultural work in times of social change.

This event will be held in both English and German, depending on the "book's" preference.

 

REGISTER HERE

 

Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. We kindly ask you to only reserve the number of seats that you will definitely use.

 

The Living Library will be held in cooperation with the City of Cologne and Kölnisches Stadtmuseum. We cordially thank the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia for supporting this event.