Five Friends Explore the Friedensau Library

Between Listening and Solving Puzzles Themselves

Rarely has the usually quiet library been as lively as it was on the evening of April 30 through May 1, 2026. Here, eleven children played, listened, and slept among the shelves during a “Reading Night,” an event organized as part of a project by two FSJ volunteers from the university: Nele Koch (Marketing) and Sarah Wiedemann (Library). They were actively supported by Ali Akkouch (theology student), Michelle Koch (staff member), and Yona Koch (student).

After the children who had come explored the library with curiosity—and, in some cases, with great enthusiasm—and had already chosen it as a perfect place to play hide-and-seek, the storytime began shortly after 5 p.m. In the back of the library, in front of the magazine shelves, in a cozy reading nook furnished with blankets and pillows, Ali took the children on a journey through a well-known children’s classic: “The Five Friends Explore Treasure Island” by Enid Blyton. The story follows an adventurous journey filled with long-lost treasures, cunning robbers, and strong friendships. The children were able to experience moments from the story firsthand, such as stealing a treasure map from the “evil” sleeping uncle—played by Tobias Koch (the university’s chancellor)—and embarking on their own treasure hunt using the map they had obtained. This treasure hunt led them through Friede with various puzzles

She led them through Friedensau with various puzzles to unravel the mystery of a locked safe, only to finally find the treasure right under their feet: in the library’s basement!

The eventful day ended with one last storytime session led by Ali, during which the children soon fell asleep, snuggled up in their pillows and blankets.

They started the next morning with plenty of energy. Refreshed after breakfast, the children headed to the playground until their parents picked them up at 10 a.m. They eagerly told their parents all about their adventures. They would have loved to stay even longer. Even weeks later, they still fondly look back on the experience and cheerfully greet the volunteers who helped out whenever they see them.

Based on a report by Sarah Wiedemann & Nele Koch, FSJ volunteers at Friedensau Theological University