The Southbank Centre, the largest and one of the most important arts centres in the UK, announced on Monday that Dua Lipa is set to curate 2026’s London Literature Festival.
The British megastar will manage a set of events throughout the festival, which will take place from October 21 to November 1, 2026.
Previous curators of the festival include songwriter and musician Self Esteem (who led the 2025 edition), artist Ai Weiwei, activist Greta Thunberg, and actor Tom Hanks.
This year’s edition of the London Literature Festival takes place on a momentous occasion, with the Southbank Centre celebrating its 75th anniversary – on the National Year of Reading.
Over the last few years, Dua Lipa’s cultural (and, mostly, literary) presence has shaped and fortified itself through the foundation of her book club, Service95.
Dua Lipa launched the book club in 2023.
Each month, the singer chooses a book to read and then discusses it with the author on her podcast, ‘Service95 Book Club with Dua Lipa’.
These literary ventures helped Dua establish herself as a passionate advocate for reading, and she is now well-known for creating a space for established authors, such as Margaret Atwood and Roxane Gay, as well as emerging writers.
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‘A dream come true’
Commenting on the announcement, Dua Lipa said: “Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life – from being the new kid at school in a new country to finding quiet refuge on tour.”
“Curating the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them,” she added.
“I can’t wait to dive into the imaginations of some of my favourite authors in one of London’s most iconic cultural spaces,” the pop star continued.
The head of literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre, Ted Hodgkinson, remarked that Dua’s work had “sparked a global conversation around books”.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, also had words of praise for Dua Lipa and her Service95 project.
“Dua Lipa’s passion for the written and spoken word has inspired a new generation of readers,” he said.
“[We are] thrilled she can apply her incredible creative talent, her advocacy and her reach to connect audiences to our finest writers.”
The London Literature Festival will consist of a mix of free and ticketed events.
More information about prices, ticket release dates and a full line-up of guests and events will be announced this summer.
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