Dua Lipa Champions Literacy with Manifesto Library Opening in Porto
Pop music icon Dua Lipa has broadened her dedication to literary endeavors with the establishment of the Manifesto Library in Porto, Portugal. Building on the success of her Service95 book club, this new library is set to become a permanent installation inside the renowned Livraria Lello, launching as a key component of the inaugural BABELL – City of Books international literary festival.
Dua Lipa's Service95 book club, initiated in 2021, has consistently promoted the significance of reading and intellectual exploration. The evolution of this platform into a physical library marks a significant step in her mission to make literature accessible and to encourage global engagement with diverse narratives. The Manifesto Library is not merely a collection of books; it's a carefully curated space designed to provoke thought and discussion.
The library, opening its doors on June 27, will feature a selection of approximately 100 books, each chosen for its ability to challenge perspectives or its history of being questioned or banned. These works delve into crucial themes such as power dynamics, control structures, individual voice, and the role of memory in society. Among the titles included are Margaret Atwood's dystopian masterpiece The Handmaid's Tale, Reginald Dwayne Betts' poignant collection Felon, and significant contributions from celebrated authors like Salman Rushdie and Olga Tokarczuk.
Lipa views this project as a 'dream partnership,' emphasizing her long-standing ambition for Service95 to serve as a welcoming hub for both writers and readers, transcending geographical and social boundaries. She highlights the transformative power of reading to unite people, particularly in a world where certain literary works face censorship or restriction due to their content on race, sexuality, or LGBTQIA+ themes. The Manifesto Library stands as a tribute to these challenged books, the brave authors who penned them, and the unwavering readers who seek knowledge beyond prescribed limits.
Francisca Pedro Pinto, Head of Brand at Livraria Lello, echoed Lipa's sentiments, articulating the bookstore's century-long conviction that books are fundamental to freedom. Pinto emphasized that the Manifesto Library embodies this belief, addressing not only the future of reading but also society's collective capacity to imagine, interpret, and shape its own destiny. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the collection, form their own opinions, and participate in conversations that reading can spark, reinforcing the idea that reading and discussing literature can be a profoundly subversive act.
The establishment of the Manifesto Library represents a bold statement in favor of intellectual freedom and the power of storytelling. By housing these thought-provoking works in such a historically rich setting, Dua Lipa and Livraria Lello aim to create a sanctuary for ideas, inviting readers to explore narratives that foster critical thinking and challenge conventional norms. It's an invitation to engage deeply with literature that questions, inspires, and ultimately contributes to a more informed and connected global community.