The 24th edition of the Amnesty International Saint-Dié book sale is being prepared behind the scenes all week. Since Tuesday, around twenty volunteers have been busy with moving and setting up the books at the François-Mitterrand space. This weekend, it will be possible to buy second-hand books starting at 0.50 euros for paperbacks, with novels selling for 1 euro. The rest of the books will be priced at one-third of their market value. “If you want to find hidden gems, you should come on Saturday morning, but the turnout is constant over the two days,” explains Patrick Antonot.
This year, the association has a large collection of comic books, so enthusiasts take note!
Despite the challenge of attracting new volunteers, the association manages to move and install 15,000 books each year. This involves handling 700 crates from Tuesday to Friday, and then on Sunday evening for storage. “On Sunday evening, it’s a real bustling hive of activity, it’s amazing what we can achieve when we work together,” rejoices Patrick Antonot.
Each volunteer has their own section because it’s not just about taking books out of the crates; they need to be sorted, checked, labeled, and then placed on tables. Three documentalists contribute to the optimal organization.
“We bring in a lot of people who may not necessarily know about Amnesty,” emphasizes Patrick Antonot. Buyers leave with arms full of books and a seed planted in their minds regarding humanity and collectivity. The recent release of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, the two French hostages in Iran, shows that the association’s commitment has paid off. “Although we are not the only ones working towards this,” adds Patrick Antonot.
The Saint-Dié branch of Amnesty International works on projects throughout the year. An exhibition at the IUT on the right to demonstrate, another at the CCAS on women’s rights achievements, and a citizen cafe during the month of equality. The association also has a project for an exhibition on children’s rights.
(Note: Sale on Saturday, April 11, from 9 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, April 12, from 9 am to 5 pm.)
