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Dua Lipa opens library of banned books in Portugal
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Culture & Society

Dua Lipa opens library of banned books in Portugal

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • Pop star Dua Lipa has opened the Manifesto Library in Porto, Portugal, dedicated to censored and banned books.
  • The library, a collaboration with Livraria Lello, aims to be a sanctuary for challenged works and celebrate courage against censorship.
  • It features 100 titles organized by themes of power, control, voice, and memory, including works by authors like Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie.

Global pop sensation Dua Lipa has launched the Manifesto Library in Porto, Portugal, a unique sanctuary for books that have faced censorship or bans. The initiative, a partnership with the historic Livraria Lello bookstore, opened on June 27 as part of the BABELL โ€“ City of Books international festival.

When I founded the Service95 Book Club, my ambition was to create a home for writers and readers, no matter where they are or what circumstances they live in. Reading about the world brings us closer, but unfortunately, not everyone is for it.

โ€” Dua LipaDua Lipa explaining the motivation behind her literary initiatives.

This project expands on Lipa's 2023 literary club, Service95, reflecting her belief in literature's power to connect people and question dominant narratives. "This library is a sanctuary for books that have disappeared, for authors whose courage exposes structures of power and control, and for readers who refuse to be told which book they are allowed to read," Lipa stated.

The library's collection comprises 100 carefully selected titles that have been challenged worldwide. These works are categorized under four key themes: power, control, voice, and memory. Among them are books banned in some school districts for addressing race or sexuality, LGBTQIA+ titles removed from shelves, and works by authors who paid the ultimate price for their writing.

This library is a sanctuary for books that have disappeared, for authors whose courage exposes structures of power and control, and for readers who refuse to be told which book they are allowed to read. You are invited to visit and decide for yourself what belongs on these shelves. Because sometimes, the most subversive thing you can do is read a book, and then talk about it.

โ€” Dua LipaDua Lipa describing the purpose and intended impact of the Manifesto Library.

Partnering with Livraria Lello, a bookstore with 120 years of history, underscores the project's commitment to freedom of expression. Francisca Pedro Pinto, the bookstore's brand manager, emphasized that the library's philosophy aligns with their own mission, stating, "Livraria Lello has been built for 120 years on a simple belief: a book is a technology of freedom. The Manifesto Library grows out of that belief."

Livraria Lello has been built for 120 years on a simple belief: a book is a technology of freedom. The Manifesto Library grows out of that belief.

โ€” Francisca Pedro PintoFrancisca Pedro Pinto, brand manager at Livraria Lello, on the partnership and shared philosophy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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