According to PEN International, there is a global surge in book bans, with significant consequences for democracy. Banning books isolates marginalized communities, undermines educators, limits critical thinking and restricts the ability of future generations to develop empathy. If left unchallenged, this development risks normalising autocracy and weakening free expression.

As the world’s first library dedicated entirely to banned books, The Dawit Isaak Library created an unreadable book as an act of protest. Bound on both sides, this new edition of 1984 could not be opened, turning restriction into a physical experience. By choosing a well-known story about authoritarianism, the project connected censorship to a wider cultural context. Launched during Banned Books Week, the limited edition was made available to borrow for schools and public libraries worldwide, ensuring that the topic of free speech remained present in public discussion.

The project reached 652 million people and generated 283 unique articles and media mentions across 13 countries. Traffic to the library’s website increased by 421%. Mentions of Dawit Isaak, The Dawit Isaak Library and The Bound Books Project increased by 459% during the campaign period.