每逢出外遊玩，我都特意到本地的圖書館一逛。這座從舊車房改裝過來的新穎圖書館Permeke，座落於Antwerp的De Coninckplein，是一個好好的舊區重建例子。跟其他西方國家一樣，即管是中心位置，昔日的興旺不再，漸漸被荒廢。此社區現住了不同種族，鄰近有China Town、摩洛哥麵包店和土耳其kebab等等；人口比其他社區高於四陪，但區內的康樂設施卻不足。
在這裡開圖書館是一個勇敢和理想的決定。當本土人眼見愈來愈多新移民擁入，他們會選擇離開或避免與新移民接觸；而圖書館偏偏在這地帶運作，即使不願意，他們跟他們都要（被）混合。
Visiting local library is my habit when I travel. Permeke, a library which was originally a garage, is located at the De Coninckplein in Antwerp. It is a good case study of urban renewal. Similar to other Western countries, the buildings in the centre get dilapidated gradually when the bustle vanishes. This is a multi-ethnic district, you can easily find China Town, Moroccan bakery and Turkish kebab nearby. However, having a population four times more than other districts, this district does not have not enough facilities for the residents at all.
It is a brave and idealistic move to establish a library here. In order to avoid contacts with immigrants, locals move farther away when more and more newcomers move in. Willingly or not, they are somehow (being) mixed due to the location of the library.
 |
| 比利時著名的就是漫畫，尋找漫畫如找唱片一樣 Belgium is famous for her comics, seeking comics is like seeking albums |
 |
| 好動的兒童有自己的空間玩耍 The active children have their own space to play |
這圖書館絕對是為所有人以設的。它不只是對不同種族膚色的人開放，它更是小孩子的樂園，漫畫迷的尋寶處。加上館內圖文並茂的指示，一看即明，圖書館不只為受高等教育的人服務。
十萬個不好意思，我不知可否在館內拍照，再加上有很多使用者和管理員（比利時人口的確比芬蘭高﹗），相片質素所以差一點……
This library is indeed set up for the people. It is not only open to people with different ethnic backgrounds, it is also a children playground, a treasure island for comics lovers. Moreover, the graphic instructions,which are easy to comprehend, show that library is not only for educated.
Sorry for the poor quality of photos. I did not know whether it is allowed to take photos so I sneaked around, while there were lots of librarians and visitors ( The population is much bigger in Belgium than in Finland!)
沒有留言:
張貼留言