Strangers get into bed with each other in Hackney square

Nadia Idrahim (left) talks with "human book" Savass Ibrahim. Savass talks about his life as a Red Cross volunteer. (Image: Archant)

People shared a bed with characters they may overlook on a normal day at an innovative pop up event in Hackney.

Nadia Idrahim (left) talks with "human book" Savass Ibrahim. Savass talks about his life as a Red Cross volunteer. (Image: Archant)

The idea behind The Hackney Human Library Popup event which was organised by social leadership programme, Year Here, aimed to tackle prejudice between different people from all walks of life.

East-end drag queens to hardcore right wingers were able to share their life stories and experiences with members of the public in the open air of Hackney’s Town Square.

The half-an-hour one-to-one sessions which was organised with a budget of £500 and in the space of 24 hours allowed individuals to get talking to someone with complete opposite lifestyles in a bid to bring people together.

Spokesman, Michael Simpson, said: “It turns the library concept on its head as people rent voluntary human books who give them a one to one session; it is bringing together people from all walks of life.”

He added: “The idea is to get an every day person speaking with someone who could be a polar opposite to them.

“It’s the whole judging a book by its cover.”

The popup library aims to tackle hidden prejudice through stimulating interactions between two people who would never usually cross paths.

Mr Simpson added: “With a homely twist, the popup encourages people to share a bed or a cosy armchair with the people they share the city with.”