A live streamed panel event featuring Luhansk Library in Ukraine, Manchester City of Sanctuary and Manchester City of Literature on libraries as places of sanctuary.

We explore how libraries act as such vital places of sanctuary in both Manchester and Ukraine; how libraries can best support refugees; then hear more about the situation in Ukraine and how libraries are supporting people fleeing conflict; to discuss how reading and writing can support people dealing with war, displacement and trauma.

The Panel:
Liz Hibberd from Manchester City of Sanctuary who works with libraries in Greater Manchester to welcome refugees and those fleeing violence; Anastasia Litashova from Luhansk Library and Julia Lysiuk of the Good Library education project in Ukraine and Festival of Libraries Ambassador Lemn Sissay OBE who is a poet, writer and broadcaster. The panel will be chaired by Nick Poole, Chief Executive of CILIP, the body for library professionals in the UK.

The panel discussion lasts about 45 minutes took place on Zoom.