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The Living Sino-Library [Lebendige Sinothek]

The Living Sino-Library is part of the ChinakomMitt project and is inspired by the Danish NGO "Human Library". It provides an inviting communication platform where people from the Chinese cultural area can share their personal stories and experiences by acting as "living books". Users have the opportunity to borrow these "books" and learn more about Chinese culture, traditions and individual life paths in personal conversations. The "books" themselves determine the topics on which they would like to offer conversations - as well as whether the meeting will take place digitally or in person.

  • We, the China-Competence Servicepoint at Marburg University, keep a (non-public) list of people from the Chinese cultural area, which also records which China-related topics these people would like to talk about with others. We call these people "living books" or "books" for short.
  • People who would like to learn more about the Chinese cultural area ("borrowers") can view these topics online (but not the people associated with them!) and register with us for a conversation on this topic.
  • We forward the requests to the respective people on our list (the "books").
  • The "books" can then decide whether, when and in what form (face-to-face or online) they would like to meet with the person in question for a conversation. 

Furthermore, we offer a text-based option where “books” can choose from a catalogue of questions. The catalogue contains a carefully curated collection of questions frequently asked by people in Germany regarding everyday life, society, culture, education and perceptions relating to China. The questions serve as a guide and conversation starter for the Living Sino-Library and are intended to facilitate an open, respectful and safe exchange – particularly in an intercultural and academic context. 

You are welcome to answer one or more of these questions in a short text, which we will then publish anonymously (or with your name, if you wish) on our website. 

 If you are interested in participating as a “book” or send us a text in response to the catalogue of questions, please contact us by e-mail or telephone:

To register as a "book" you can use this formula here

+49 6421 28-26154

Susanne Braun