Dua Lipa opens library for banned and censored books in Portugal
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Dua Lipa opens a library in Portugal featuring banned and censored books.
The library, called the Manifesto Library, is located in Portugal. It aims to highlight and give access to books that have been banned or censored in various countries. The collection includes works by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, and others who have faced censorship. The initiative is part of Dua Lipa's service95 platform.
The article notes that while some books on the list were historically banned under Portugal's Salazar regime, others have faced restrictions in contemporary contexts, including in the United States. The library's opening coincides with a broader debate about book bans and censorship globally.
What commenters are saying
Commenters are divided on what constitutes a 'banned' book. One camp argues that book bans in the US are often context-specific, such as school library removals, and not equivalent to state-level suppression. Others counter that preventing access in institutional settings like schools, prisons, or military bases does constitute a ban, citing PEN America's definition. A third group questions the inclusion of certain titles, arguing that books like *The Handmaid's Tale* are widely available and popular, undermining the notion of them being truly banned.
Several comments note that many listed books are easily purchasable on Amazon in the US, leading some to call the term 'banned books' a pop culture meme rather than a literal description.