Dua Lipa's Manifesto Library: Celebrating Banned Books and Challenging Restrictions
Dua Lipa has been making waves this year with various achievements, including the release of a new live album, 'Dua Lipa – Live From Mexico', and her debut album reaching 450 weeks on the UK’s Official Albums chart. She recently unveiled her latest project, the Manifesto Library, a collection of banned and censored books housed in the Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto, Portugal. The library is a result of Lipa's dedication to promoting literature and fostering a community of readers and writers through her Service95 Book Club.
The Manifesto Library features around 100 books that have been banned or censored for various reasons, including themes of race, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ content. Lipa emphasized the importance of challenging restrictions on reading and celebrating authors who have bravely confronted power structures through their work. The library aims to spark conversations and encourage visitors to explore diverse perspectives on power, control, voice, and memory through the selected books.
Among the notable works included in the Manifesto Library are Margaret Atwood’s "The Handmaid’s Tale" and Reginald Dwayne Betts’ "Felon", as well as works by Salman Rushdie and Olga Tokarczuk. Livraria Lello's Head of Brand, Francisca Pedro Pinto, highlighted the library's commitment to promoting freedom of expression and fostering a society that values imagination and critical thinking through literature. The Manifesto Library is a testament to the enduring power of books to challenge norms and inspire change.
Dua Lipa's passion for literature extends beyond the Manifesto Library, as she is also set to curate the Southbank Centre’s 2026 London Literature Festival. Through her initiatives and collaborations, Lipa continues to champion the transformative power of reading and storytelling in shaping a more inclusive and enlightened society. The Manifesto Library stands as a testament to the enduring impact of literature in challenging conventions and amplifying diverse voices.