Human Library Draws More Guests to Smukfest After Relocation

The "Human Library" at the Smukfest music festival is attracting more visitors this year after relocating to the "Kærligheden" camping area. On the first day alone, the festival recorded as many "borrowings" as in the entire previous year.

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There have been sold out shows at almost all the workshops there. It is the calm activities that attract people, and the short story readings were packed.

Festival organizers noted that workshops at the Human Library were nearly fully booked, with storytelling events also drawing large crowds. "The calm activities attract people, and the short story readings were packed," said Michelle Kallerup Toft, community coordinator at Smukfest.

The relocation to Kærligheden, a more lively camping area primarily for younger festival-goers, has specifically drawn in more young people. "After it moved to Kærligheden, we can see that more young people are bringing friends and sitting to hear about gambling addiction. It invites calm and wonder when young people are together with others," Toft explained.

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After it moved to Kærligheden, we can see that more young people are bringing friends and sitting to hear about gambling addiction. It invites calm and wonder when young people are together with others.

The Human Library aims to foster conversations about prejudice by replacing books with people. Visitors can engage with individuals who have experienced various life circumstances, such as living with a disability, being Roma, Muslim, transgender, or having a gambling addiction. "We are creating a safe space at the festival that offers wonder and immersion. The fact that you can go down and hear about a topic you have prejudices about does something for everyone," Toft said.

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It is a safe space we create at the festival, which offers wonder and immersion. The fact that you can go down and hear about a topic you have prejudices about does something for everyone.

Organizers believe the formal setting of the Human Library facilitates more open discussions about sensitive topics. "We experience that people can talk better about these subjects when it's formal. It becomes a conversation, and the library is a good shortcut. It can be heavy and curiosity-provoking," Toft added. The initiative is part of Smukfest's broader efforts to highlight the festival's diversity, including a recent talk on prejudices about people with disabilities.

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We experience that people can talk better about these subjects when it's formal. It becomes a conversation, and the library is a good shortcut. It can be heavy and curiosity-provoking.