A living library that weaves together shared stories and collective memory.

Rooted in the Yoruba word for “home”, this activation reimagines the concept of a public library into a warm and inviting living space that explores shared and communal histories. Reading is reframed as a collective act of discovery where visitors encounter familiar comforts alongside unexpected narratives.

Through a series of curated programs, visitors are invited to explore the intertwined histories, cultural practices, and nuanced traditions that shape communities, while also experiencing the intimacy and warmth traditionally associated with home.

Ilé Griot challenges conventional library design by shifting focus from quiet archiving to active exchange. Through this approach, the project underscores the idea that a library is more than a repository. It is a communal space shaped by its inhabitants and is enriched by their histories they carry.

As part of this activation, Bootleg Griot x Dubai Design Week 2025 presents a diverse lineup of programmes that explore storytelling, migration and community through dialogue, film and performance. The schedule unfolds as follows:

Site + Story Research - Led Public Installations
Date: Thursday, November 6
Time: 2:30 PM to 3:25 PM

Panel Talk: Documenting Spaces in Transition
A conversation that examines the role of documentation in capturing spaces undergoing cultural, social and architectural change.
Date: Thursday, 6 November
Time: 6:30 PM
Speakers: Rashed Al Mulla, Omar AlAhmadani and Redha Al Hammad

Na Only You Waka Come: Migrant Stories in Dubai
An evening dedicated to narratives of migration and belonging, exploring how movement and memory shape Dubai’s multicultural identity.
Date: Friday, 7 November
Time: 6:30 PM

Film Screening: Reflections on Community & Space
A cinematic exploration of community, identity and transformation, presented in collaboration with leading creative collectives.
Date: Saturday, 8 November
Time: 6:30 PM
Film: Watch You Hide Me — Directed by Nii Kwate Owoo
Collaborators: Looty and Origho Lagos

Tales By Moonlight: A Community Storytelling Session
An intimate evening of storytelling where voices from different communities come together to share personal tales, memories and reflections under the soft glow of moonlight.
Date: Sunday, 9 November
Time: 7:00 PM
Guests: Latifa Alkhayat and Sara Almehiri

About Bootleg Griot:

Bootleg Griot is an independent public library initiative dedicated to improving access to literature and African print media within its community. Conceived as a series of pop-up activations, the project collaborates with regional institutions such as Efie Gallery, The Africa Institute, Jameel Arts Centre and Alserkal Avenue to reimagine the format, function and dynamics of the modern library. Each iteration is uniquely curated, offering a selection of works that reflects both the diversity of African narratives and the specific context of its host venue. Currently in residency at Efie Gallery in Dubai, Bootleg Griot continues to explore how libraries can operate as active, experimental and inclusive cultural spaces.