Toward Xenopolis

How do we build civil society? How does a society repair itself after violence? How do we live in a world with others different from ourselves? These questions lie at the heart of Krzysztof Czyzewski's writing and his work with <i>Fundacja Pogranicze</i> the Borderland Foundation at the border of Lithuania Poland and Belarus. Writing from the heartland of Europe's violence and creativity Czyzewski seeks to explain how we can relate better to each other and to our diverse communities. Building on examples of places and people in East-Central Europe Czyzewski's essays offer readers concepts such as the invisible bridge the <i>nejmar</i> (the bridge-builder) and the <i>xenopolis</i> (the city of others) which create community throughout the world. The three sections of the book--concepts places and practices--show how this cultural work bridges the divide between concepts and practices and offers a new map of Europe. Ultimately Czyzewski hopes we can all move toward xenopolis toward the understanding that others are in fact ourselves. This book offers an introduction to Czyzewski's work with framing essays by specialists in Central and East European history.