In addition to concerts and funfairs, a small open-air library will be set up in the context of the summer festival “D’Stad lieft”.
From 11am to 6pm, visitors will be able to read in the courtyard of the old library. Books in four different languages are available.
Marthy Bracke, head of the “Cité Bibliothéik”, explains that people can come and sit down with one of the books and read to their hearts content for as long as the site is open. The open-air library also features a Bicherschaf (“book closet”), which contains books that people can take home with them.
On the agenda are also public readings from national and international authors, as well as a number of “night events”. Every week of the “book month” has a different theme, which will influence the different readings and workshops.
Themes are oriented both at adults and children. The first week is all about food and catering and will feature the chef René Mathieu as a guest.
Bracke gives some more insights, revealing that the second week will revolve around comics and mangas. The third week will be the “diversity week”, focussing on people with disabilities as well as refugees. The last theme will be all about travelling and will feature Mike McQuaide, a.k.a. An American in Luxembourg, among others.
The site also has machine called Mäi klenge Spillbuttek (“My little toystore”), where people can buy small board games for children. The open-air library is not a CovidCheck event, which means that people must wear masks at all times, except for when they are seated. Admission is free, but visitors will have to book free tickets for the public readings in advance.
Serge Wilmes, a member of Luxembourg City’s municipal executive, stated that he hopes that it will be possible to continuously provide an offer aimed at children at the site.
Wilmes explains that it is the wish of the Municipality of Luxembourg City that the site will remain a place for children, seeing as a school was located there for over 400 years before it became the home of Luxembourg’s National Library for 50 years. The Municipality is thinking about combining both aspects, according to Wilmes, for instance in the form of a cultural centre for children or a museum aimed at children. The open-air library is meant as a first step in that direction, the CSV politician explains.
The Stad liest project will run until 12 September. The library is open from Tuesday to Sunday. The Saturday morning entertainment, which used to be organised inside the library, will take place here for the duration of the four weeks.