How Literature Breaks Cultural Barriers

We often fear what we don’t know, and tend to avoid or confront what we fear. But there’s a way out: exposure.

Gordon Allport’s Contact Hypothesis suggests that interpersonal contact reduces prejudice. But since we can’t meet everyone, literature steps in.

Literature sparks our imagination. Research by Richard J. Crisp and Rhiannon N. Turner shows that even imagining positive interactions with an “outgroup” member fosters empathy and openness. The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology found that multicultural literature helps children challenge stereotypes. And we’re never too old for that.

Let’s hear from experts on how literature builds a kinder world.

Embrace Cultural Differences Through Interaction

Embracing cultural differences can truly enrich our interactions and deepen our understanding of each other. For example, while volunteering at an international food festival, I had the opportunity to work closely with people from various cultural backgrounds. This experience involved sharing diverse culinary traditions and stories behind each dish, which served as a wonderful means to initiate conversations about each other’s heritage and personal history. The mutual respect and curiosity everyone showed not only made the event a success but also fostered a sense of community among us. We all left with new friendships and a greater appreciation for the cultural richness that every individual brought to the table.

Such experiences underline the value of cultural diversity and remind us that while we may have differences, there’s so much more we share in common. Constantly learning from such encounters not only broadens our horizons but also strengthens the fabric of our communities. Having open dialogues about cultural practices and traditions can build bridges of understanding, making our societies more inclusive and harmonious.

Alex Cornici, Writer, Cheap Places To Go

Read Novels From Different Cultures

Literature became my unexpected cultural bridge-builder after a disastrous California wine country tour I planned for Japanese executives that failed because I’d completely misunderstood their expectations and communication styles. After that humbling experience, I started reading novels from my clients’ home countries before planning their itineraries – beginning with Haruki Murakami before Japanese bookings and Gabriel García Márquez before Colombian adventures – which transformed my ability to create meaningful travel experiences that actually resonated with their cultural values.

Through stories, we experience the world through someone else’s eyes and heart, accessing emotional truths that guidebooks and cultural briefings simply cannot convey. I’ll never forget planning a Silicon Valley tech tour for Saudi entrepreneurs after reading “Girls of Riyadh,” which gave me insights into generational shifts and gender dynamics that helped me navigate sensitivities I would have completely missed, resulting in one client telling me it was “the first American trip where we felt truly seen.”

Literature doesn’t just teach us facts about different cultures; it immerses us in their emotional landscapes, contradictions, humor, and values in ways that bypass stereotypes and create genuine understanding. When we engage with diverse stories, we’re practicing the essential travel skill of perspective-shifting – moving beyond superficial cultural tourism to recognize both our profound differences and surprising similarities, making literature the most accessible form of cultural immersion available without a passport.

Joe Hawtin, Owner, Marin County Visitor

Literature Creates Windows Into Different Cultures

Literature creates a direct window into different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Unlike news or social media, which can be filtered through bias or agenda, a novel or memoir allows readers to step into someone else’s world and see life through their eyes. This builds empathy in a way that facts alone often can’t. For example, books like “The Kite Runner” or “Persepolis” don’t just tell stories; they immerse readers in Afghan and Iranian cultures, making them more relatable and human.

Beyond empathy, literature preserves languages, traditions, and histories that might otherwise fade. Reading stories from different cultures helps break stereotypes and misconceptions, replacing them with real human experiences. In a globalized world, understanding others isn’t just nice — it’s necessary. The more diverse voices we read, the harder it becomes to see the world in black and white.

Natalia Lavrenenko, UGC manager/Marketing manager, Rathly

Literature Bridges Cultural Gaps

Literature provides a powerful platform for bridging cultural gaps. It offers an immersive look into different customs, values, and perspectives, helping readers empathize with those outside their own communities. Through storytelling, people can connect with experiences far from their own, breaking stereotypes and promoting understanding. Writers bring attention to common human struggles, which encourages dialogue and reflection. By engaging with diverse narratives, readers are invited to rethink assumptions and embrace diversity, creating a foundation for mutual respect and shared knowledge.

Mike Khorev, Managing Director, Nine Peaks Media