ATHENS: The brightly colored minivan that pulls into Athens’ food market, drawing a group of refugees around it, is not carrying something edible.
The contents — hundreds of books — are there to satisfy a different sort of hunger.
For tens of thousands of refugees stuck in Greece for the past two years after European states shut their borders in rapid succession, survival is no longer an issue.
Instead, boredom and creeping despair about their future are their new enemies as they wait for months, even years, for their applications to relocate elsewhere in Europe to be processed.
Now, at least two separate initiatives have emerged to help refugees fill the long hours of their day.
One of them is Echo Refugee Library — a minivan fitted with shelves carrying over 1,000 books that does a weekly round of refugee camps in the greater Athens area, plus poorer districts of the capital where many refugees live in UN-rented flats.
The goal of the initiative is to “make culture accessible to all,” says Esther Ten Zijthoff, 25, the Dutch-American coordinator of the project.
The books — in English, Greek, French, Arabic, Kurdish and Farsi — have been provided by benefactors in Greece, Belgium, Britain and Lebanon or purchased with money donated online.
Ali, a 26-year-old Syrian, is among those who never misses a delivery at the food market.
“I really love having something to read. It does me good,” he tells AFP, an Agatha Christie novel under his arm.
The English mistress of the whodunit is proving a top draw for refugees, says Zijthoff.
“The mystery and romance present in her stories are well-liked by Arab speakers. We would like to have her whole collection.”
Language dictionaries are also in demand, with many readers borrowing them to photocopy and keep close at hand.
In another part of the city center, a similar initiative draws Syrian and Afghan refugees to the offices of We Need Books, a volunteer group formed last year that also gives language classes in Arabic and French.
We Need Books has the largest collection of Farsi books in Athens, including over 150 sent directly from Afghanistan, says co-founder Ioanna Nissiriou.
Here, the most popular book is Arabian Nights. The sole copy in Farsi, delivered in June, is already in tatters, she notes with pleasure.
“Initially our goal was to help refugees escape through literature. But now we also seek to educate the children and help them integrate,” says Nissiriou, a 38-year-old former journalist.
Seated on a brightly-colored pouffe, 16-year-old Zahra from Afghanistan has just discovered the works of iconic Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, author of Zorba the Greek and the Last Temptation of Christ.
“I like this book because it’s a new culture for me,” she says whilst poring through Nikos Kazantzakis’s Odyssey, a sequel to Homer’s classic opus.
“But my favorite is the Tales of the Brothers Grimm, which is similar to faerie tales I used to read as a child,” the young Afghan says.
Books to go: bringing literature to refugees stuck in Greece
Books to go: bringing literature to refugees stuck in Greece
What We Are Reading Today: ‘A Well-Ordered Thing’ by Michael D. Gordon
Dmitrii Mendeleev (1834–1907) is a name we recognize, but perhaps only as the creator of the periodic table of elements.
Generally, little else has been known about him. “A Well-Ordered Thing” is an authoritative biography of Mendeleev that draws a multifaceted portrait of his life for the first time.
As Michael Gordin reveals, Mendeleev was not only a luminary in the history of science, he was also an astonishingly wide-ranging political and cultural figure.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’
Author: Shirley Jackson
“We Have Always Lived in the Castle” is a gothic novel by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1962.
This haunting masterpiece stands as Jackson’s final and perhaps most accomplished work, offering a mesmerizing exploration of isolation, family loyalty, and societal persecution.
The narrative follows Mary Katherine “Merricat” Blackwood, an 18-year-old girl who lives with her older sister Constance and ailing Uncle Julian in their family estate.
The Blackwoods exist in self-imposed isolation following a tragic incident six years prior, when arsenic-laced sugar claimed the lives of most family members during dinner.
Through Merricat’s unreliable narration, Jackson crafts a Gothic tale that masterfully blends psychological horror with social commentary.
The protagonist’s voice is both childlike and unsettling, marked by obsessive rituals and protective magic that she believes keeps their diminished family safe from the hostile outside world.
The story’s genius lies in its layered exploration of themes.
On the surface, it is about two sisters living in seclusion, but beneath runs a deeper current about societal persecution, female autonomy, and the price of being different.
The arrival of Cousin Charles, who threatens their carefully maintained isolation, sets in motion events that reveal the true nature of the sisters’ bond and their relationship with the outside world.
Jackson’s prose is precise and atmospheric, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors the sisters’ physical and psychological isolation.
The novel’s examination of how communities treat those they deem different remains painfully relevant.
The townspeople’s treatment of the Blackwood sisters serves as a sharp critique of mob mentality and social ostracism.
“We Have Always Lived in the Castle” offers a deep dive into the human psyche’s darker corners.
It is a short tale about survival, love, and the lengths people will go to protect their own version of happiness, no matter how twisted it might appear to others.
This enduring classic continues to captivate readers with its unique blend of horror, mystery, and psychological insight, cementing Jackson’s reputation as one of American literature’s most distinctive voices.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Theoretical Ecology’ by Ryan Chisholm
Theoretical ecology explores the mechanisms that structure ecological communities using a variety of mathematical and computational tools.
“Theoretical Ecology” shows you how to translate ecological problems into mechanistic models using both mathematics and the programming language R. The book teaches key concepts and core quantitative skills while also devoting significant attention to the reasons for building mathematical ecological models.
What We Are Reading Today: The Disappearing Act
Author: Florence de Changy
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, carrying 239 passengers, disappeared into the night, never to be seen or heard from again.
Writing for Le Monde in the days and months after the plane’s disappearance, journalist Florence de Changy closely documented the chaotic international investigation that followed, uncovering more questions than answers.
The mystery, until now, is riddled with inconsistencies, contradictions and a lack of basic communication between authorities.
De Changy draws together countless eyewitness testimonies, press releases, independent investigative reports and expert opinion, to offer an eloquent and deeply unnerving narrative of what happened to the missing aircraft.
REVIEW: ‘S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’ tells a story of resilience and survival
LONDON: “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl,” developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, stands as both a gripping survival adventure and a reflection of real-world resistance in the face of adversity.
The game’s development faced significant challenges, with the studio partially relocating to the Czech Republic due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This struggle has imbued the game with poignant cultural references and an atmosphere shaped by the harsh realities of its creators’ circumstances.
Players assume the role of Skif, a Ukrainian Marine Corps veteran drawn into the “Zone,” a dystopian take on the Chernobyl exclusion zone. In this alternate universe, the infamous nuclear disaster unleashed not only radiation but also space-time anomalies and a host of mutated threats.
The Zone is merciless, and so is the gameplay. Stalkers — explorers of this treacherous area — must navigate its dangers in pursuit of adventure, profit or ideology. The game emphasizes survival, with a steep learning curve that demands careful planning. From radiation and traps to scarce resources and malfunctioning weapons, every step is fraught with danger. Deaths are frequent and the game tracks your fatalities, adding to the sense of vulnerability.
The game shines in its atmospheric design and mechanics. The 64 sq. km open-world setting is a stunning yet haunting playground for chaos. Weapon handling is top notch, and the enemy AI is intelligent and challenging. The various human factions and mutant creatures add layers of unpredictability to the experience, while side missions pile up in classic open-world fashion.
However, the game is not without its flaws. Some elements feel restrictive, limiting creativity in problem-solving. For instance, mutant dogs may attack you relentlessly while ignoring nearby enemies. Invisible anomalies that kill instantly and radiation-related deaths can feel arbitrary, especially early on when resources like health kits and food are scarce. Additionally, the dialogue leans on cliches, which may detract from the storytelling for some players.
Despite its challenges, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl” offers a deeply rewarding experience for those willing to persevere. The unforgiving difficulty and grounded survival mechanics create a palpable sense of tension, while the evocative setting offers a mix of chaos and beauty. Fans of open-world games, particularly those craving a grittier and more challenging experience, will find much to appreciate.
Born out of extraordinary circumstances, it is more than just a game — it’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of its developers. Stick with it, and you will discover a truly unique title forged in the most difficult of times.
