Access to Creative Philosophy with Public Libraries in Parisian Parks

In Paris, France, public libraries have invited me to conduct outdoor creative philosophical workshops for children for the event Libraries Beyond The Walls. Since 2015, every summer with librarians we have reached out to the young generation in parks and public gardens.

My anthropological talk will explain how a municipal cultural policy that involves private educational initiatives can multiply access to books, digital tools, critical thinking, creativity, and democracy in a big city.

In The Mean Time, this French concept of Libraries Promote Access in parks and public gardens can be reproduced all over the world to empower children. Last year at the peak of COVID19, Libraries Beyond The Walls was one of the few public events to be maintained in Paris. 

As an anthropologist and founder of MOSHI, an educational nonprofit organization, I designed creative philosophical workshops for this yearly event. In their outdoor playgrounds, children can read books, discuss philosophical notions, and use digital tablets to create their own stories.

From my participant observation, analyzed through the scope of political anthropology, I will explain how Libraries Beyond The Walls event has evolved in the last six years. From a municipal cultural policy that started with librarians to promote reading among the Parisian young population, to collaboration with private educational nonprofit organizations, to the participation of daycare centers that bring children to attend outdoor philosophical workshops. 

Is this event a success? Yes, it is. Citizens can work together in different neighborhoods to educate children on democratic practice. It allows bringing back philosophy to its roots: the public space. 

Diese Session wird präsentiert von unserem Partner Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Europa