Rome: UPP delivers Arabic books in Regina Coeli prison

The NGO Un Ponte Per delivered a load of Arabic-language books to the Regina Coeli Prison in Rome, intended for the Arabic-speaking prison population. This is the 6th Italian prison institute involved in the project "Kutub Hurra - Free Books" that links Italy and Tunisia.

Rome, 30 October 2023 - On 27 October, a shipment of Arabic-language books destined for the Arabic-speaking prison population was delivered to the "Regina Coeli" Prison in Rome.

The books were delivered by the Italian NGO Un Ponte Per (UPP), in the framework of the project "Kutub Hurra - Libri Liberi", carried out since 2022 together with theTunisian Association "Lina Ben Mhenni", created in memory of the prematurely deceased activist, who bequeathed a vast collection of books in Arabic. 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 handed out in Livorno ("Le Sughere" Prison and Gorgona Prison), Pisa ("Don Bosco" Prison), Padua ("Due Palazzi" Prison) and Florence (Sollicciano Prison).

Since the first delivery of books in May 2022, 'Kutub Hurra' has managed to reach more than 1,000 Arabic-speaking inmates in 6 penal institutions in Italy (another 6 are in the process of being involved), delivering more than 350 volumes during 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 of inclusion and rehabilitation.