Libraries & Storytelling Workshops for Resilience

A Season of Expression & Community

This summer, our work at Lilipad was defined by creative expression and deeper investment in the people behind our programs - children, artists, librarians, and staff alike. Across Berlin and Casablanca, workshops invited participants to explore their voices in new ways - from photography and cinema to calligraphy and graffiti. This quarter reminded us that stories don’t always come in words. They show up in images, movement, colour, and shared space.

Thanks to your support, our spaces continue to grow!

1. Lilipad Germany: Art, Identity & Belonging

Telling Stories Through Photography
At our library in the refugee accommodation Warschauer Platz, children took part in a photography workshop led by photographer Nour and co-facilitator Seyed. The sessions explored light, framing, and perspective and culminated in a lovely public exhibition of the children's own work at SPORE gallery. Seeing their art on display gave the children a sense of pride and presence that will stay with them long after the photos are taken down.

CALLIGRAFFITI Comes to Life
Also this summer, we wrapped up CALLIGRAFFITI, a unique workshop series blending Arabic calligraphy and graffiti. With guidance from artists Mo and Taha, children explored heritage and self-expression in ways that moved off the page and onto walls, sidewalks, and large outdoor spaces. The project was beautifully concluded in a final exhibition at SPORE, curated by our dedicated Project Lead, Jana.

Weekly Arabic Reading Sessions
Every week at our library in the refugee accommodation in Britz Neukölln, our facilitator Taha gathered a group of children for Arabic reading sessions that are as joyful as they are grounding. The sessions create space for children to connect with their mother tongue, celebrate their cultural roots, and build language confidence in a warm and familiar environment. These regular gatherings remind us that literacy and belonging go hand in hand and that a feeling of home can begin with a story. A big learning we gained from running workshops for many years is that consistency is key to see tangible results - so we are very glad to be able to provide this consistency thanks to Taha's care and dedication. 

2. Lilipad Morocco: Care for Caregivers, Feminist Storytelling & Stepping Into the Spotlight

Mental Health First Aid for Our Team
Behind every Lilipad library are caring, committed adults (librarians, volunteers, social workers, and staff) who show up for the children every day. In Morocco, most of these caregivers are women who carry both professional and emotional responsibilities in their communities. Recognising this, we held our first-ever Mental Health First Aid training in Casablanca, led by clinical psychologist Rim Akrache, to equip our team with tools to recognise and respond to signs of distress in children - and in themselves. It was an important step toward strengthening the emotional safety of our spaces.

Feminist Storytelling Through Various Art Forms
In Casablanca and Mohammedia, dozens of young girls (mostly aged 12 to 17) participated in several creative workshop series. Examples include:

• With photographer Mourad Fedouache, they learned the basics of photography and began preparing their own visual stories for a public exhibition this winter.
• Filmmaker Islam Zouanat led sessions combining writing and cinema, where the girls developed short storylines mixing drawing, dialogue, and personal reflection.
• Additional sessions encouraged storytelling through art therapy, crafting and reading circles.

Both programs encouraged girls to explore their creativity, identity, and agency - using art to challenge stereotypes, tell their own stories, and imagine new futures. Together, these workshops contribute to feminist storytelling, where young women step into the spotlight not just as subjects but as authors and creators of their narratives.

3. How You Can Support Lilipad

• Become a Monthly Donor: If you are able to, please consider becoming a monthly donor of Lilipad. Your steady support would allow us to keep our programs running and our team going, especially in uncertain times. As a thank you, monthly donors who are based in Berlin are all welcome to join our book club BOOKED FOR GOOD. To join, email info@lilipadlibrary.org with your donation confirmation.
• Volunteer With Us: Have a few hours a week and want to get involved in meaningful work? Whether in Berlin or remotely, we welcome volunteers for core management roles, reading, events, etc. Email info@lilipadlibrary.org to learn more.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We could not do any of this without our community.

With gratitude,
The Lilipad Team

Links:

• Interview with Lilipad's Founder in L'Opinion (in French)