Dua Lipa Opens Manifesto Library Featuring Banned Books in Portugal

Dua Lipa inaugurated the Manifesto Library in Porto, Portugal, a collection dedicated to nearly 100 books banned or censored worldwide. The library was launched during the BABELL International Book Festival and features works addressing themes of power, control, voice, and memory. Included are Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," as well as writings by Salman Rushdie and Olga Tokarczuk. Many of these books have been removed from schools or libraries due to content related to race, sexuality, or LGBTQ+ issues, and some authors faced severe consequences for their work.

Lipa described the library as a sanctuary for writers who dared to challenge power structures and for readers who refuse to be told what they can or cannot read. She emphasized that sometimes the most subversive act is to read and discuss a book. This initiative reflects Lipa's ongoing passion for literature and her desire to create a home for readers and writers everywhere.

The launch comes amid a busy period for the 30-year-old singer, who recently married actor Callum Turner after a two-year relationship. Their wedding celebrations spanned nine days, including an intimate civil ceremony in London and a lavish three-day event in Palermo, Sicily, estimated to have cost around $1.7 million.