📚Sister Library, led by Indigenous artist aqui Thami, is a vibrant art initiative that goes beyond the conventional concept of a library. Rooted in celebrating women, it intertwines literature with community involvement to nurture diverse and inclusive connections. As an evolving and generative artwork, Sister Library is a space dedicated to celebrating female creativity, housing works by women writers, artists, and zine makers. It invites in-depth reflection on our time’s visual and reading cultures, bringing readers together to explore literary contributions, highlight artistic excellence, and foster a deeper appreciation for the accomplishments of women in the creative world.
📍The project will travel to multiple locations across Sri Lanka throughout the year and be accompanied by a multifaceted programme featuring workshops, performances, talks, and readings. The Sister Library’s first stop will be the Lakmahal Community Library in Colombo, where the Sister Library will be accessible to the public during regular opening hours.
🦜Sister Library is being realized in partnership with Everystory, who have contributed a list of important Sri Lankan feminist writing to the library’s collection. Additionally, the Goethe-Institut and Alliance Française have expanded the selection by adding feminist literature from Germany and France, translated into English.
🤝🏾The project is funded by the Franco-German Cultural Fund. The Fund was set up in 2003 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty of friendship between France and West Germany, and it promotes Franco-German cooperation by providing support for cultural and artistic projects. Image credit: image of Audre Lorde via Getty Images/Jack Mitchell; image of Jean Arasanayagam via The Island; image of Kumari Jayawardena via the Social Scientists’ Association of Sri Lanka; image of Uma Chakravarti via Feminism in India; image of Virginia Woolf via the Hulton Archive
