When books are increasingly challenged, censored, or removed from shelves around the world, one of music’s biggest stars is making a powerful statement through literature. Dua Lipa has officially unveiled The Manifesto Library, a permanent collection dedicated to banned, censored, and challenged books inside the legendary Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal.
The ambitious project marks a major milestone for the singer’s Service95 Book Club, transforming what began as a global reading community into a lasting physical destination for readers. Housing 100 carefully selected books that have sparked debate, faced censorship, or challenged established power, The Manifesto Library celebrates the enduring importance of free expression and critical thinking.
Officially opened on June 27, 2026, during the BABELL: City of Books literary festival, the library is more than a literary attraction. It is a cultural statement designed to encourage conversation, curiosity, and the freedom to read.
The Manifesto Library Brings the Service95 Book Club to Life
The Manifesto Library represents the first permanent physical extension of the Service95 Book Club, founded by Dua Lipa to inspire thoughtful reading and meaningful discussion across cultures.
Rather than simply displaying famous banned books, the collection explores literature that has challenged political systems, questioned social norms, amplified marginalized voices, or preserved stories that some attempted to erase.
According to Service95, the library was created as a space where readers can freely engage with works that continue to shape conversations about democracy, identity, history, race, gender, and freedom.
Visitors are encouraged to browse the shelves, spend time reading, and reflect on the ideas contained within each title.
Why Livraria Lello Was the Perfect Home
One of the World’s Most Beautiful Bookstores
Choosing Livraria Lello as the permanent home for the collection was a fitting decision.
Located in Porto, Portugal, the historic bookstore has welcomed readers since the 19th century and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Its remarkable stained-glass ceiling, ornate wooden staircase, carved bookshelves, and elegant architecture have made it an international literary landmark.
The Manifesto Library itself offers a striking contrast to the historic surroundings.
Situated inside Livraria Lello’s cultural auditorium, the modern reading space was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza. Bright white shelves, light wood furnishings, and comfortable seating create an inviting environment where visitors can explore books at their own pace.
The blend of historic architecture and contemporary design symbolizes the connection between literary heritage and today’s conversations about freedom of expression.
A Collection Built Around Four Powerful Themes
Power
The Power section examines who shapes society, who challenges authority, and who controls historical narratives.
Among the featured works are:
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Felon by Reginald Dwayne Betts
- The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
- Free by Lea Ypi
These books encourage readers to question political systems, institutions, and inherited beliefs.
Control
The Control section focuses on surveillance, censorship, propaganda, and institutional influence over society.
Notable titles include:
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- The Trial by Franz Kafka
- The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
- Ai Weiwei on Censorship
Together, these works examine how governments, organizations, and social structures influence personal freedom.
Voice
The Voice section highlights authors and communities whose perspectives have often been overlooked or silenced.
Readers will find works such as:
- The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird
These books celebrate storytelling as a form of resistance and representation.
Memory
The Memory section explores how literature preserves history, identity, and lived experience.
Featured books include:
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- Patriot by Alexei Navalny
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
- The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk
Through personal narratives and historical reflection, these works remind readers why preserving memory remains essential.
The Importance of Banned Books Today
Why the Manifesto Library Matters
The Manifesto Library arrives at a time when debates surrounding book bans continue to grow worldwide.
Many of the books included in the collection have been removed from schools, challenged by governments, restricted in libraries, or criticized for addressing topics such as politics, race, religion, gender, sexuality, or social justice.
Rather than presenting censorship as a historical issue, the library encourages visitors to examine why certain ideas continue to provoke controversy.
Its message is simple yet powerful. Reading should remain an opportunity to explore different perspectives, ask difficult questions, and engage in thoughtful discussion.
Dua Lipa’s Vision for Literary Freedom
Dua Lipa has long promoted reading through her Service95 platform, regularly introducing readers to authors from different cultures and backgrounds.
With The Manifesto Library, that mission has expanded into a permanent cultural destination.
Describing the project on Instagram, the singer called it a dedicated space for challenged literature and invited readers to experience the collection for themselves.
Service95 also describes the library as a place where books that have disappeared from classrooms, libraries, or public discussion can continue to inspire new generations of readers.
As Dua Lipa explains, sometimes one of the most meaningful acts is simply reading a book and talking about it.
A New Literary Landmark in Porto
The opening of The Manifesto Library adds another reason for book lovers to visit Porto.
Already famous for its architectural beauty and literary history, Livraria Lello now offers visitors an entirely new experience that blends culture, activism, and education.
Accessible with admission to the bookstore, the permanent installation invites readers from around the world to engage with stories that have challenged authority and expanded public conversation.
More importantly, it reminds visitors that literature remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for preserving ideas, protecting memory, and encouraging independent thought.
Conclusion
The launch of the Manifesto Library is far more than a celebrity project. It is a lasting commitment to literature, intellectual curiosity, and the freedom to read.
By partnering with Livraria Lello, Dua Lipa and Service95 have created a permanent home for 100 books that continue to challenge conventions and inspire meaningful conversations. Through its four themes of Power, Control, Voice, and Memory, the collection encourages readers to confront difficult ideas instead of avoiding them.
At a time when censorship remains a global issue, The Manifesto Library stands as a reminder that books can educate, inspire, provoke debate, and preserve voices that history should never forget.
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