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Milan, November 29 2019 – It's called “Who's afraid of red, yellow and blue?” the initiative open to all which will take place at the Museo del Novecento (fourth floor – New routes section) on Sunday afternoon, from 14pm to 30pm.

An Azerbaijani musician, a Syrian architect, an Indian milkman with a degree, an Italian artist, a second generation Chinese videomaker, two boys who arrived crossing the desert, Libya and the Mediterranean, and operators who in various capacities work in the the field of human rights: these are just some of the "books", in flesh and blood, that each user of the "human library" will be able to read, choosing it based on the title and a back cover. These "living books" make their history and experience available through one-to-one narratives, effectively contributing to dispelling stereotypes. Their motto: “You don't judge a book by its cover”.

Art against prejudice is therefore the focus of this project which is carried out by FEM, Fondazione Empatia Milano, in collaboration with the Museo del Novecento. And it was the work “Who's afraid of red, yellow and blue” by Maurizio Nannucci, exhibited in the rooms of the Museum, that inspired the title of the initiative.

Human library is a simple and innovative method, born in Denmark in 2000 and created by a group of young people as a response to the racist aggression suffered by one of their classmates and is based on a concrete approach to promote dialogue and understanding between individuals .

FEM human library 2019 is part of Distinti ma non distanti, a project by ASIA (Association for international solidarity in Asia) of which Fondazione Empatia Milano is a partner together with four other organizations - financed by the Italian Agency for Cooperation in development. The project develops over a year of initiatives and events throughout Italy to educate citizens on the values ​​of empathy, interdependence and non-violence. And to break down prejudices and distorted perceptions of migrants.

A recent survey by the European Commission reveals that, according to Italians, immigrants from countries outside the EU make up 24% of the population, while they are just 7%. Furthermore, for 74% of our compatriots, immigrants worsen crime and for 58% they take away jobs from residents. Words and knowledge are placed in the human library as an antidote to the false perceptions that fuel prejudices. The works and spaces of the museum, which welcomed and inspired human books during the training course, are a heritage that Milanese citizens, old and new, will have the opportunity to make their own.