Wisselgesprek is a storytelling project in which Het HEM builds up a collection of 'living books'. The living books are people who share their personal stories with visitors in 20-minute one-on-one conversations. These stories tie in with the themes of and the artworks in the Chapters. In this way, visitors can meet people they don't often encounter in daily life or talk about topics that challenge them to rethink.

This certainly applies in this Swap Talk. Following on from the theme of 'abundance', the books interpret ways of seeing and living beyond the current norm. They show that there are other possibilities to organize life and be who you want to be.

Deirdre Daly Deirdre Daly is originally from Ireland. During her years in the Netherlands, she became interested in the power of the passport and the rights that go with it. Her Irish passport gave her the freedom to live in other parts of Europe. Brexit made her realize that that freedom doesn't have to be forever. Nationality and the rights associated with it have a significant impact on our daily lives, whether we are aware of it or not.

Professor Lam'nasra Hip-hop Professor Lam'nasra is an autodidact. He has taken numerous online courses in various fields and has never stopped acquiring knowledge since then. He firmly believes in self-taught and self-development and wonders whether the official school system in the Netherlands brings out the best in people. With his story, he hopes to be a source of inspiration for at risk youth and young people who do not feel at home there.

Anouk de Vlieg Anouk de Vlieg is polyamorous and has several loving relationships. That always raises some silly questions. Questions for example about wild orgies or other impertinent questions, people in a monogamous relationship are never asked. Even more painful, however, is that these relationships are not taken seriously or valued. Anouk tells what it is like for her and how she deals with this.

Willianne Liemborg The bicultural Willianne Liemborg, is looking for her own identity. Because who or what are you if your biological father is Turkish, but you don't know him? And your mother is Dutch but doesn't know her birth father either? Are you half Turkish, half Dutch? Or does a third culture play a role? In 'Wisselgesprek,' she tells about her quest along with her past, present, heart, biology, culture, fears, dreams, and future.

Kevin Pieterse Kevin Pieterse is non-binary. They express this as a human being and use it in their work as a set designer. Although our contemporary (online) world, where queer and non-binary can count on many adverse reactions, Kevin starts the conversation and talks about what it means to them.

Lous Steenhuis As a little girl, the Jewish Lous Steenhuis-Hoepelman went into hiding with her aunt and uncle. She was betrayed and ended up in camp Westerbork. Now she regularly tells her story and speaks to people who use Nazi symbols or express their sympathies, such as the youth from Urk recently. Lous enters into the difficult conversation because she is curious about the other and wants to share her perspective on it. That is the basis of 'Wisselgesprek'.

Jeanette Chedda From Jeanette Chedda are the inspiring words: "My limitations are my curse and my blessing. Because besides the fact that it's holding me back, it helps me. It helps me choose my own path because I don't feel at home on the beaten track. The beaten path was not made for me." In Wisselgesprek, Jeanette talks about her own path as a disabled Muslim woman of color.

Essam Zaki Essam Zaki is Dutch, born in Baghdad to an Iraqi mother and Iranian father. As an artist, he is fascinated by how everyday events can be political and social at the same time. In 'Wisselgesprek' he wants to talk about identity and how important it is today. He wonders if it even exists.

Chië Shindo Chië Shindo is a wisdom teller & astrologist based in Amsterdam. She is from Japan and built up an awareness practice through Macrobiotic (perspective of yin-yang and the balance in a life), Zen, Tao and Taijutsu (Japanese old martial arts, Ninjutsu). She combines the Eastern practices with Western Astrology which became her own unique signature in her work.