The "Before the Coffee Gets Cold... Read Me a Book" campaign was launched as a social initiative to raise awareness of loneliness and the need to be together—mindfully, without rushing, and without judgment. Its purpose was to remind people that even the simplest gestures, such as conversation, time spent together, or reading a book, can truly reduce feelings of loneliness and build a sense of closeness.
The inspiration for the campaign was the novel „"Before the coffee gets cold"”, about the importance of relationships, conversation, and other people. Reading excerpts from the book became a pretext for creating peaceful, warm encounters—not as artistic events, but as spaces for being together, listening to each other, and sharing reflections. For many listeners, it was a moment of pause in the pre-holiday rush and a moment of true connection with another person.
As part of the campaign, readings were held in various locations and settings: a café, a library, a detention center, and during an Intercultural Café meeting. Each reading had its own unique character, tailored to the participants, but the underlying message remained unchanged: shared presence and attentiveness to others.
We widely publicized the campaign through the Foundation's social media and the project partners. Information also appeared in local media, and posters inviting people to participate in the readings were displayed throughout the city, including at bus stops. This raised awareness and encouraged residents to reflect on loneliness and how to combat it in their daily lives.
The campaign was entirely social and non-commercial in nature. Its central idea resonated particularly strongly during the holiday season: being together, recognizing each other, and being open to others—before their coffee gets cold.
The project was created as a result of cooperation between the Ładne Historie Foundation, the Świdnica Cultural Centre, the Centre for Supporting Non-Governmental Initiatives, the Municipal Public Library in Świdnica and the University of the Third Age.
The campaign was organized as part of the "Świdnica for Volunteering" project (2024–2026), co-financed by the "Partnership for Volunteering. 2024 Edition" program within the Solidarity Corps – the Government Program for Support and Development of Systematic Volunteering 2018–2030
