The volunteer team ‘Inlibrovita, give the book life’has a Latin name, Greek heart and a mood of offer and love for the book. He was born from a simple thought that is at the same time a tested recipe, especially abroad. The central core of the group, a family from Heraklion, Crete. Demosthenes Marakis, his wife Chrysoula and their three children, Lefteris, Nikos and Nicole For more than ten years, they have been doing their dream, that is, to see the books that some have read and want to give them, to be in the hands of other people who enjoy their reading.
A hand -in -hand passage, with a growing group that is growing up and to date has tens of thousands of books to the whole country. Recipients, among others, are schools, clinics, hospital libraries, institutions, nursing homes, detention facilities, Cultural Associations etc. Speaking to RES-EIA, Demosthenes Marakis said that the action began with the focus of reinforcing literacy.
“We started collecting books for the establishment or reinforcement of existing libraries. It was not easy, of course, because in our nature, as a people, we are suspicious and negative. We heard a lot, we didn’t get bored, we didn’t stop and finally justified. “ said Mr Marakis, who clarified that the team’s headquarters based solely on voluntary offer is Heraklion, but is active throughout the country, as books initially stored in the basement of their home have recipients in various parts of Greece. In their basement they may no longer fit the books that arrive from donations, but through cooperation with other volunteer teams in the country, the donors, instead of sending the books to Heraklion and from there, are again sent to various areas of the country, they can deliver them on behalf of the volunteer team. ‘Inlibrovita, give the book life’in spaces and structures that are co -ordinated and close to the areas where the donors are.
“This happened in Chrysoupoli, Kavala, Aigio, Corfu, Serres, Kalymnos, Athens, Kastelorizo, Patras and Ioannina. We are away, a message on social media or a phone call. We can easily direct donors, as we know the needs. “ said Demosthenes Marakis, who noted that a book that has accomplished its purpose can generously convey knowledge and promote culture.
“Books of Literature, Philology, History, Politics, Economics, Psychology, Art, Geography to Sociology, Novels, Comics and Puzzles, can be transformed from” something that is dusting on the shelf “or” occupies a lot of space at home “into a means of dissemination and culture. When a book can give much more than knowledge and education, then donation acquires other characteristics and value. “
The presence of the team for more than ten years has succeeded in building a connection and trust relationship not only with the donors but also the recipients.
“They are waiting for an act of solidarity and a warm embrace. They are waiting for an act of love. A move that proves that our thoughts are close to them. They are waiting for books and puzzles, which we have generously provide for years. Our goal this year is to integrate the recipients as many children and adult centers as possible. ” Added by Demosthenes Marakis, who clarified that in addition to schools, clinics, hospitals, institutions, nursing homes, detention stores and cultural associations, books have been given to today and centers of dependent people, in the Libraries and the Libraries New Zealand and the boarding house on the Fiji Islands (!).
The books that have been read are given to libraries and to fellow humans who are often unable to buy them. Indeed, the fact that they are such a heterogeneous audience makes it important to donate any book.
“The” intervention “of the donor transforms practice into a spectacular solidarity work. We are simply the intermediate link, ”explained the founding member of the volunteer team who, wanting to share the experience of the last ten years, noted that his deep belief is that” a donation from a personal library is one of the best knowledge offers. It contains the personal choice, beliefs and desires of the reader, as well as their dissemination. And as such “goods” must be treated. “
Among the moments that Demosthenes Marakis has distinguished all these years, is when in a teenage basketball championship, athletes donated books to the “opponents”, as well as the efforts they have participated
“You know, some incidents are engraved in memory. They are what gave us the strength and the will to continue. Incidents that shaped characters in our voluntary course. The gaze of acceptance, the wishes of elderly guests of the nursing home » Mr. Marakis said in the RES-EIA, who noted that what they are feeling is that the book is going on and companion for patients, attendants and prisoners. People for whom the flow of time is excruciating.
“The mind travels, creates images away from the hospital or detention room. Some penitentiary systems reward literacy with a reduction in penalty. The reaction of the children, parents and nursing staff of the PAGNI Children’s and Adolescent Clinical Hematology and Adolescent Clinic is shocking every time that books or creative employment puzzle is delivered. Their look is our payment. “
The overwhelming majority of the books, donated to the “Inlibrovita, give the book Life”, comes from individuals, but as Mr. Marakis pointed out, the biggest donation of books to date, was made by Archbishop Crete Eugenios, who gave thousands of books to all the books.
“Some books are left on the shelf, waiting dusty, spided, with the covers faded, with yellowed leaves, tremble to fall into the trash. Books are not rubbish. The books were not written to dust in the library, written to transmit knowledge, to produce culture. Texture, aroma, color, even the font, the layout of the paragraphs, the modules, the capital, the aesthetic and artistic curator of the cover, stimulate the senses and unlock human existence. “ Demosthenes Marakis stressed, concluding that “Books change hands. They have to change hands. The Latin “godfather” of our team, entitled “Inlibrovita” in free performance, urges us to give life to the book. This is what we do and we will continue. “
Source: Skai
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