SYRIA. BRIDGES OF SOLIDARITY
On 27 October, a shipment of Arabic-language books destined for the Arab-speaking prison population was delivered to the Regina Coeli Prison in Rome.
The books were delivered as part of our 'Kutub Hurra - Libri Liberi' project, which we have been carrying out since 2022 together with theTunisian Association 'Lina Ben Mhenni', created in memory of the activist who died prematurely and left a vast collection of Arabic-language books.
The project is promoted thanks to a vast network of Italian realities operating within prisons, and the aim is to build a bridge of books across the Mediterranean.
The handover was made possible by the collaboration with the 'Fuori Riga' Association and the Guarantor of the Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty of the Municipality of Rome, Valentina Calderone, who were present at the initiative.
The "Regina Coeli" Prison is the latest to be involved in the initiative: books were previously delivered to Livorno (Le Sughere Prison and Gorgona Prison), Pisa (Don Bosco Prison), Padua (Due Palazzi Prison) and Florence (Sollicciano Prison).
Since the first book delivery, which took place in May 2022, "Kutub Hurra" has managed to reach over 1,000 Arabophon detainees in 6 penal institutions in Italy (another 6 are in the process of being involved), delivering over 350 volumes in the course of 4 consignments from Tunisia, thanks to the cooperation between 8 Italian and Tunisian organisations.
The project aims to create a more inclusive prison environment through the provision of reading opportunities to Arabic-speaking inmates and prisoners and the use of books as a tool for emancipation.
In this sense, books become a means to promote cultural dialogue. Having readings and literature in Arabic also means being considered in one's entirety and dignity, a necessary starting point for any path to inclusion and rehabilitation.
We will keep you updated on the developments of our 'bridge of books' across the Mediterranean.
