Beyond the dance floor and chart-topping hits, Dua Lipa is proving that her influence stretches far deeper into the world of literature and cultural critique. After championing contemporary authors through her initiatives like the Service95 Book Club, the singer has finally given form to a long-held literary mission: the launch of the Manifesto Library, a permanent physical home dedicated to books that challenge authority, censorship, and dominant narratives.
This ambitious collection is set to open its doors tomorrow (June 27) in Porto, where it will debut as part of the inaugural BABELL – City of Books festival. The partnership behind this venture brings together contemporary culture with historic literary tradition, collaborating with Portugal’s renowned Livraria Lello bookshop.
The Manifesto Library isn’t just a collection; it is a deliberate space designed to spark conversation. Housed within the stunning new cultural auditorium of Livraria Lello—a space architected by Pritzker Prize-winning designer Álvaro Siza—the library invites readers into an immersive experience.
The installation features 100 carefully selected books organized around core themes: power, control, voice, and memory. These are not standard readings; they are works that have been banned, censored, or otherwise challenged, alongside powerful texts that continuously provoke debate on identity, race, gender, political power, and freedom of expression.
Among the compelling titles featured in this groundbreaking collection are classics like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Reginald Dwayne Betts’ Felon, underscoring the library’s commitment to exploring the boundaries of accepted thought.
Lipa explains that the vision behind the Manifesto Library stems from a deep desire to foster a space where readers are not just consumers of literature but active participants in discourse. “When I founded the Service95 Book Club, my ambition was for it to become a home for writers and readers, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances,” she shared. “Reading the world brings us closer — but sadly, not everyone is in favour of that.”
She views the library as more than just an archive; it is envisioned as an active cultural space centered on reading, debate, and public participation. The goal is to foster the idea that sometimes the most subversive action one can take is read a challenging book and then talk about it.
The opening event tomorrow will recreate the vibrant atmosphere of Service95’s beloved “Book Tasting” gatherings, pairing intense literary discussion with Portuguese wines selected by Sogrape. Authors represented in the collection, including Olga Tokarczuk and Salman Rushdie, are expected to participate in the broader BABELL festival programming, ensuring a rich tapestry of literary conversation for everyone involved.
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Credit: Spin
