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Amid isolation and uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, a group of readers found in the literature much more than entertainment-found welcome, connection and a way to face the challenges of that moment. Thus was born the Fraternity Anne Shirley, a Reading Club that, starting remotely, today brings together more than 70 people in love with books, debates and sincere friendships.
Members of the Anne Shirley fraternity in a face -to -face meeting, celebrating the passion for reading and friendship built during the pandemic
Covid-19 pandemic has changed the rhythm of the world and directly affected the mental health of millions of people. In the midst of this challenging scenario, reading emerged as an exhaust valve for many – and it was precisely in this context that the Anne Shirley fraternity was born in 2020, a Reading and Affective Reading Club.
“I was personally very anxious and depressed as a result of the start of the pandemic. Reading has always been an escape valve and sharing it with more people have always enjoyed,” says Vitória Maciel, one of the group’s founders. “Then came the idea of calling people to assemble a reading group, all remotely. The group was only growing and today there are more than 70 members,” he adds.
With a collaborative proposal from the beginning, all decisions in the club are made together, including the name of the group. “It was a suggestion of mine, but most voted for him,” explains Vitória. The name honors the character Anne Shirley, from the literary series Anne de Green Gablesknown for their sensitivity, love for books and poetic look at life. “Anne is a dreamy and resilient character who can look at the challenges and turn them into poetry, art, fighting. In addition to being a book in love, her character is an inspiration to most of the group and also represents our journey,” he says.
Anne Shirley Fraternity goes beyond readings: promotes belonging. “Members feel belonging, many today are friends because of the reading group. Finding people who have tastes and ideas similar to their own is not easy. The general population has no habit of reading, so being part of such a special community is a commonplace,” he says.
Among the group’s most striking readings is Daniel Keyes’s “Flores for Algrenon”. “It is an extremely sensitive and real work. It was impactful from start to finish and is considered the best reading of the group in these 5 years of existence,” says Vitória.
With the end of sanitary restrictions, the face -to -face meetings finally happened – and gave new breath to the fraternity. “After the pandemic, we were able to make our first face -to -face meeting, and this generated visibility to the group. Many other members entered. In addition, many people became frequent readers because of the group,” says Vitória.
One of the face -to -face meetings of the readings group
The main objective of fraternity remains firm: encouraging reading, strengthening bonds and providing a safe space for the exchange of ideas. “We are always encouraging each other so that the debates and exchanges of ideas will happen. Our dream and main objective is always to reach people who seek a safe and special place to share ideas, to make new friends and feel fully the transformation that the wonderful world of books can do,” he concludes.
