Singer Dua Lipa has launched the “Manifesto Library,” a permanent collection of banned and censored books housed within the Livraria Lello bookstore in Porto, Portugal. Part of the international BABELL book festival, the library features 100 titles centered on themes of power, control, voice, and memory. The project expands on Lipa’s Service95 Book Club, aiming to provide a space for readers to engage with literature that has faced institutional restriction or suppression.
Why is the Manifesto Library being established now?
The library serves as a response to the global rise in book challenges, according to statements provided by Dua Lipa. The collection includes works that have been restricted in school districts due to their exploration of race and sexuality, as well as titles written for LGBTQIA+ audiences. By curating these specific works, the initiative functions as a “shrine to books that have disappeared,” according to Lipa. The project aligns with a broader trend of celebrity-led literary advocacy, similar to her upcoming role as curator for the 2026 London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre.
Livraria Lello, the host site for the Manifesto Library, has operated for 120 years. The bookstore frames the book as a “technology of freedom,” a philosophy that aligns with the library’s mission to preserve access to censored texts.
What books are included in the collection?
The library features approximately 100 titles categorized by their relationship to authority and societal control. Confirmed titles in the collection include Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Reginald Dwayne Betts’ Felon. The shelves also stock selected works from authors Salman Rushdie and Olga Tokarczuk. According to Francisca Pedro Pinto, Head of Brand at Livraria Lello, these selections are intended to help society “imagine, interpret and build its own future” by protecting access to diverse narratives.
How do celebrity-led book clubs impact reading trends?
Dua Lipa’s move into physical library curation represents a shift from digital recommendation platforms to permanent, public-facing institutions. While her Service95 Book Club utilizes podcasts to reach digital audiences, the Manifesto Library creates a brick-and-mortar destination for literary discourse. This mirrors a growing trend among public figures to leverage their cultural influence to combat censorship, moving beyond simple endorsements to the creation of physical archival spaces.
If you are interested in exploring banned books, check your local library’s database. Many institutions now provide digital access to frequently challenged titles, allowing readers to bypass local restrictions on physical copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I visit the Manifesto Library?
The collection is located permanently inside the Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto, Portugal.
What criteria were used to select the books?
Books were selected based on four core themes: power, control, voice, and memory. The collection specifically focuses on works that have been subject to censorship or removal in various educational or public settings.
Is the Manifesto Library part of a larger organization?
Yes, it is affiliated with the BABELL – City of Books festival and functions as an extension of Dua Lipa’s existing Service95 Book Club project.
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