Rising real estate prices and the cost of living, as well as gentrification, are forcing a worrying number of literary spaces to close their doors. There are some high-profile cases—Caótica and the Verbo bookstore in Seville, or the iconic Tipos Infames, which is closing its doors in a couple of weeks—but they are not the only ones. Given this situation, it is cause for celebration that Seville is opening new meeting places such as El Club de los Raros.
Both a bookstore and a literary hub, this venue at the end of Calatrava transforms your read books into reforestation, social support, and emotional well-being.
In addition, El Club de los Raros creates experiences to give people access to reading and its benefits. On February 19, for example, there will be a meeting with Nieves Concostrina and Lola Álvarez at 6:30 p.m.
Circular economy: your reading plants trees
Do you have books gathering dust at home? This project converts the surplus from Sevillians’ private libraries into stable reading programs.
What you pay for a second-hand book here not only gives you a new story, but also finances active environmental projects and supports vulnerable groups.
The #LeerNosCuida challenge: 20 minutes for your mind
The Club de los Raros doesn’t just exist on paper. They have launched the #LeerNosCuida campaign on social media, a challenge that invites citizens to spend 20 minutes a day reading for a week.
The goal is clear: to show that reading is as powerful a tool for mental health as physical exercise.
“We seek to create a community that understands that reading is an essential part of our well-being,” says the organization.
The space in question is located at the end of Calatrava Street and is open Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.