According to The Guardian on 30/3, organizers of the London Literature Festival announced pop star Dua Lipa will serve as curator for this year's event. The singer is directly involved in content development, program planning, and key activities.
The festival is collaborating with Service95, a cultural platform and book club founded by Dua Lipa. This partnership is expected to bring a fresh, youthful, and diverse perspective to the traditional literary space at Southbank Centre.
Dua Lipa's selection for this role is not arbitrary. Since launching her Service95 book club in 2023, the singer has actively promoted reading culture. Specifically, through monthly curated reading lists and in-depth interviews, she connects readers with both established and emerging writers. She has also hosted academic podcast conversations with authors such as Margaret Atwood, George Saunders, and Olga Tokarczuk.
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Dua Lipa at the 61st Grammy Awards. Photo: REX. |
Discussing the importance of reading, the singer states: "Books are the anchor that has kept my soul steady through all the ups and downs — from my early days as a lost child in a new school in a foreign country, to finding peaceful refuge amidst touring." For her, becoming a curator for the London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre is a dream. "I am incredibly excited to fully immerse myself in one of my greatest passions: books and brilliant minds", Dua Lipa said.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, views Dua Lipa as a global cultural figure. He believes her passion for books and words will inspire a new generation of readers. Ted Hodgkinson, Head of Literature and Spoken Word at Southbank Centre, said Dua Lipa's presence will "create a global dialogue around books", drawing new audiences to the program.
Dua Lipa, 31, was born in England. In 2015, she released her debut singles "New Love" and "Be the One", achieving success in the European music market. In 2017, the singer gained attention with the hit "New Rules". The electropop and EDM song topped charts in the UK, Netherlands, Ireland, and Israel, and reached 11th on the Billboard chart in the US. The success of the "New Rules" single and the "Dua Lipa" album helped her win Breakthrough Artist and British Female Solo Artist at the Brit Awards 2018.
The London Literature Festival is a prestigious annual event held at the Southbank Centre, bringing together renowned global authors and young talents. The event celebrates the power of words through panel discussions, performances, and cultural exchanges.
In 2026, the 19th festival will take place from 21/10 to 1/11, serving as a central activity in Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary celebrations and in support of the UK's National Reading Year. A highlight will be the list of promising writers selected by Dua Lipa.
Last year, the program was curated by Self Esteem. Notable past participants include Ai Weiwei, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Tom Hanks, and Yulia Navalnaya.
Khanh Linh (via The Guardian)
