The Curfew Library is a non-profit initiative established to transform a civil limitation into a collective strength. In response to the nightly prohibition on public gatherings, communications consultancy BridgEgypt launched a campaign to connect youth intellectually via a crowdsourced library. “When conflict broke out in Cairo last August and a curfew was imposed on the country, we took a step back to think about opportunities for positive social action , because we believe that crises are also opportunities ,” writes BridgEgypt’s Valentina Primo of the projects’ genesis.
“Today, Egyptian youngsters need more than school: a more equal society also requires the democratization of culture , and that means equal access to books.” Participants are invited to swap one old book for another, while donating a second to help build a library collection for underprivileged Egyptian youth. And though the curfew is finally over, book donations—over 500 so far, including 100 volumes from the AUC–keep arriving at BridgEgypt’s Cairo office.
