Empower Athens' Displaced people through community

Dear Friend,

We’re so excited to share with you all that has happened at We Need Books in the past three months and to celebrate a milestone that fills us with joy.

The long-awaited renovation of our basement is now complete! What was once an empty, underused space has been transformed into a haven for children and teenagers; full of books, comics, a piano and guitar, floor chess, board games, and cozy corners to read or create. During the summer, when many local children did not go away on holiday, the basement became their refuge. Cool during the heatwaves and alive with activity, it offered them a safe, inspiring place to play, learn, and belong. Seeing the space filled with laughter and discovery has been one of the greatest rewards of our work.

Beyond the basement, our library has continued to be a place of exchange, dialogue, and imagination.

For the second year, we had the pleasure of welcoming students from the SNF Paideia Program at the University of Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the story of our beginnings, our mission to create an inclusive space for all communities in Athens, and to talk about the transformative power of books in building bridges between cultures. Their curiosity and thoughtful questions inspired us in return.

In July, our library hosted the opening of the 2nd Intercultural Festival, organized by the 162nd Primary School of Athens, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. Our shelves temporarily gave way to the children’s exhibition “My Dream for the World”, a moving collection of voices and visions from children who have experienced displacement and loss, yet dream of rebuilding their lives with hope and dignity.

In August, we hosted a powerful conversation around the book “Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents & Cultural Expectations” by therapist Agatha Peters. The discussion opened up space for honesty and healing, shedding light on the hidden impact of narcissistic parenting in collectivist cultures, and offering a path to self-acceptance without losing connection to heritage.

Finally, we joined an important conversation on “third places”, those vital community spaces that are neither home nor work, but where connection, creativity, and belonging flourish. We spoke about how such places can be recognized, supported, and cherished, something that feels deeply aligned with the heart of our library.

As you can see, these months have been full of growth, reflection, and joy. None of this would have been possible without your support. Together, we are building not only a library but a community where stories are honored, children thrive, and people from every background feel at home.

With gratitude always,

Ioanna Nissiriou