This is a place where we value human intelligence more than artificial one. Here, we strive to develop, maintain and develop some more intellectual independence, complex linguistic skills, and broad-mindedness through reading. We care for human personality and believe in liberal arts and education.
We also believe - and studies confirm - that reading reduces stress, improves mental health, and increases the overall quality of life, and want to support regular reading in our extremely busy and hectic historic moment.
Here is what we offer:
Intellectual evenings
Literature and philosophy are our passion. For those who share it, based on our expertise and academic background, we suggest complex, but stunningly beautiful texts for reading, provide contextualization and in-depth analysis, and conduct informed live discussions with readers from all over the world.
What do we read in this course?
We read, analyze and discuss works by Kafka, Woolf, Dostoevsky, Proust, Joyce, Camus, Hesse, Faulkner, Nabokov, Sartre, Saint-Exupéry, Murdoch, Ibsen, Beckett, Beauvoir, Márquez, and so many other brilliant texts, mostly from the 20th century.
Reading coach
For those too busy with work, daily routine, social media, and video streaming, we provide motivation to read more - and are ready to support you along the way just as running coaches or diet coaches do. We are not judging and have understanding, and we are prepared to approach your situation on an individual basis.
What do we read in this course?
We have a lot to suggest but since it’s individual coaching, it’s up to you. Perhaps, we will finally read that book on your shelf that you are postponing for the last 10 years? Or maybe we will read those couple of books that you need so much for your studies or career?
Language Saturdays
For those learning languages, we provide reading classes with linguistic support and live discussions. Here, you can find your motivation to read regularly in a language you learn, and you can practice your verbal skills in a friendly environment in small groups. We have no language policing, and nobody will judge your grammar mistakes. We can promise it - we make them, too.
What do we read in this course?
Anything that is engaging and accessible for language learners. For those who need practice in English, we propose Atwood, Coetzee, Christie, Vonnegut, Poe, Lessing, among others. For those who struggle with Russian, we offer classes on Gogol, Chekhov, Bunin, Kuprin, Davlatov. For those who are improving their German, we are planning courses on Köhlmeier, Handke, Jelinek, and German classics. All Language Saturdays are divided into Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner levels. Further languages follow!
Systematic reading
Finally, we offer thematic classes dedicated to a specific period in World Literature. We are starting with Ancient Greece - come on board, and let's explore Greek tragedies and comedies and myths by reading, analyzing, and discussing it in a systematic, academic-style way. Or choose to commit to something entirely different, and dive into the Golden Age of Russian literature. Read the best that was written in the snowy 19th century Russia and get professional input on every topic – in live classes and with a limited audience.
What do we read in this course?
We carefully read and try to understand classics. In the Ancient Greek course, we read works by Homer, Sappho, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus, Aristophanes, and others. In the Russian Golden Age course, we read Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev, Goncharov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Herzen, Ostrovsky. Library is the limit!
We genuinely love books, but people come first. Most importantly, we are a human-orientated start-up and for us it means the following:
- We are inclusive, ethical, transparent, and friendly. We have no language policing and no discrimination on any grounds, and ask all our participants to be kind, open-minded and have respect towards each other. These are the only rules on the platform;
- All our weekly classes are held live and with a limited number of participants so that everyone could express their opinion and get attention. Additionally, we provide one-on-one coaching;
- We want to be as accessible as possible and are determined to keep the minimum entrance fee at the level of 10 euro/class. If this is too much for you - send us a short message. We reserve several places per class for free attendees;
- We value every participant and listen to your feedback and requests. If for some reason we are not what you've expected, we are always ready to refund you.
Have questions? Check it here or drop us a line to [email protected]