Goethe Insitut hosts fifth Imagination Night series
PARKWOOD – Community members were given a chance to be a part of the locally-based German cultural centre on their Imagination night.
Neighbourhood locals were invited to the fifth Imagination Night series to share Goethe Institut’s vision, their journey and also hear why they identify themselves as a start-up.
The German cultural centre established in Johannesburg to promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange was hosting their own project. The project focused on addressing changes to their library after questions arose whether o not they needed the space there.
“My passion has always been how to change spaces to make people feel more comfortable and come back again. This is where the vision of Library-Gamebox-Hub comes in and it means a co-creative space,” Vernon Scholtz, project coordinator for Library-Gamebox-Hub said.
Project coordinator, Lot Kafesu said, “We had shelves at the library, but now we have space in the same area which enables us to have conferences and meetings. We’re a slightly different library because now we are able to eat and drink and we’re allowed to talk and discuss.”
He said they still had books, of which 90 per cent are in German because most students are offered language courses. The coordinator said that they were currently looking to see more of books from hubbers and entrepreneurs who worked there. They were also working towards getting people to know how to use books digitally.
The gamebox platform was described by Scholtz as a digital gallery where literacy games could be played.
Stefanie Kastner, head of information services at Goethe Institut, addressed a few challenges that the developments came with. “People can sleep at the library and it’s hard to leave them alone so we have to look at how to plan security. We also have a challenge of user groups with different interests, for instance, the gamers who make a lot of noise while the readers want quiet time.”.
Kaster, however, said that they had a few suggested solutions to the challenges which include moderation of different user groups such as literally going to put order there. She said their institution also planned to network more and take part in other people’s community activities.
Details: Goethe Institut South Africa website
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