The Human Library of KL Voices brings life stories to light

Downtown Kuala Lumpur’s latest cultural event, the Human Library of KL Voices, invites residents and visitors alike to explore the city’s diversity through the intimate stories of its people. Set to take place on November 2 and 3 at LOKL Coffee Co on Jalan Tun HS Lee, this unique event is part of the Kreatif KL Festival and aims to foster empathy, understanding, and unity within the community by allowing participants to “borrow” human “books” for conversations.

Through this initiative, the festival seeks to unearth the vibrant narratives that define the city’s heart, challenging stereotypes and creating meaningful connections among KL’s diverse communities.

Borrowing books, Sharing humanity

At the Human Library of KL Voices, attendees will forego the pages of a book, instead sitting across from individuals who bring a wealth of life experience, each willing to share their story in a one-on-one format. The event will showcase 24 human “books,” each representing a segment of KL’s rich societal tapestry, from political figures and community advocates to artists, immigrants, and everyday heroes.

Project director Shireen Zainudin, a writer and cultural curator, explains the intent behind the initiative: “These KL voices may be voices that participants do not often hear, sometimes dismiss, occasionally disagree with, frequently misunderstand, or may want to hear more from. So our hope is that these conversations will give rise to greater curiosity or a deeper understanding of our fellow city-dwellers.”

Among the human books are well-known personalities such as retired national footballer Datuk Santokh Singh, child rights advocate Datuk Dr. Hartini Zainudin, and the prominent environmental lawyer Abe Lim. But the lineup also includes voices from less familiar quarters, such as Ameera Mohd Ramli, a visually impaired theatre practitioner, and Zar Chi, a restaurant worker from Myanmar, creating a platform for stories that often remain unheard in mainstream discourse.

Personal narratives: A catalyst for empathy

This interactive storytelling platform encourages participants to listen, reflect, and engage with individuals who offer personal perspectives that may challenge preconceptions. Each one-hour session provides visitors with the opportunity to converse with three different “human books” in 20-minute segments, selected based on their interests and availability. Registration for the sessions, required through the festival’s partner platform Cloudjoi, aims to ensure that each interaction remains intimate and meaningful, with limited slots available each day from noon to 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Shireen notes the potential for transformative impact through such dialogues: “Our objective with this Human Library is to offer the KL public the chance for a two-on-one dialogue with 3 different KL Voices per one-hour session. These voices may be ones they do not often hear, sometimes dismiss, occasionally disagree with, frequently misunderstand, or may want to hear more from. We hope to challenge preconceptions, to unjudge others, to realize that every human is a story and to hopefully discover that we may have more in common than merely co-existing in this city called KL.”

A platform for diverse perspectives

The diversity within KL is truly reflected in the lineup, where each human book embodies the varied identities of the city’s residents. Alongside the well-known names are community members like Major Kalam Pie, a representative from the Semelai Orang Asli tribe, and Farzana Yakta, an Afghan refugee and theatre director. Each story, while unique, reflects a shared resilience and humanity, encouraging attendees to reflect on the intersections of their lives with those of others they may have otherwise overlooked.

“What makes KLites who we think we are, are the communities we identify with,” adds Shireen. “Our library will be stocked with human books that represent the diversity within these communities. By fostering introductory conversations, we hope that visitors to our Human Library will discover that we have more in common with our KL tribes than merely co-existing in this city.” This aim is complemented by the Kreatif KL Festival’s broader objectives, which encompass arts, heritage, and culture initiatives across KL throughout November.

Fostering respectful, engaging dialogue

With guidelines to ensure respectful, open conversations, the Human Library of KL Voices hopes to create a welcoming environment where participants can explore the nuances of each story without judgment. Visitors are reminded to approach each human book with kindness and sensitivity, understanding that personal stories require trust and vulnerability. These exchanges allow each participant to glimpse the world through another’s lens, fostering a collective appreciation for the city’s diversity.

Running through the end of November, the Kreatif KL Festival by Think City continues to celebrate Kuala Lumpur’s artistic and cultural identity with numerous public engagements, such as this human library. This festival strives to strengthen community bonds, redefine public spaces, and honour the creative spirit that defines Malaysia’s capital.