Teenage education campaigner Malala Yousafzai opens the new Library of Birmingham. Photograph: Jake Mackinnon
The new Library of Birmingham was officially opened today by sixteen year-old Malala Yousafzai, who rose to international prominence after being shot by the Taliban.
The opening of the £189 million public library in Centenary Square was watched by 400 visitors, as teenager Malala was joined by the building’s chief architect, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and a number of local politicians and well wishers.
During her speech Malala, who was joined by her father along with family friends, triumphantly announced, “Pens and books are the weapons that defeat terrorism.”
Malala Yousafzai was joined by her father at the opening ceremony. Photograph: Jake Mackinnon
She carried on, “I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls.
“From my school text books I read nine books from the library. I thought I did a great job in my whole 15 years of life.
“But last year, seven days after the incident that I faced, I was brought here to Birmingham for further treatment.
“When I was discharged from the hospital, I was introduced to this new society, which is different from our society in Pakistan, in many ways.
Malala Yousafzai unveiled a permanent plaque at the library bearing her name. Photograph: Jake Mackinnon
“Here people tell me that they have read hundreds of books. It does not matter how old they are, they take a keen interest in reading, even children of six and seven years have read more books than me.
“Now I have challenged myself that I will read thousands of books and I will empower myself with knowledge.
She added: “We must not forget that 57 million children are out of school.
“And let us not forget that even one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”
Malala Yousafzai received her first library card from the Lord mayor of Birmingham. Photograph: Jake Mackinnon
Originally from Pakistan, Malala was not afraid to show her pride in being a Brummie.
“It is an honour for me to be here in Birmingham, the beating heart of England.
“Birmingham is very special for me because it is here that I found myself alive, seven days after I was shot.
“It is now my second home, after my beloved Pakistan.
She also went on to praise the medical care she received in Birmingham, after being shot in the head by militants for standing up for women’s educational rights in October of last year.
“The doctors and nurses of this town strived to rehabilitate my educational career, and the great people of this city gave me great moral support and today’s event proves that this city loves me and I love it too.
The Children’s Nobel Peace Prize nominee concluded, “As one said, a room without books is like a body without a soul. And I say ‘a city without a library is like a graveyard’.”
“A city without a library is like a graveyard,” Malala Yousafzai told the crowd. Photograph: Jake Mackinnon
Regarded by its designer as the “People’s Palace”, the 333,000 sq ft structure is the brainchild of Dutch architect Francine Houben. Made partly from gold and covered in 5,357 intertwining metal circles, she claims the patterns reflect the “values of universality, timelessness and unity.”
Around a million books are housed in the new library, which also has access to a large media archive belonging to the British Film Institute and it is home to the second largest collection of Shakespeare’s works in the world. The 10-level library also links up with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and has an outdoor amphitheatre providing a music and drama performance space.
The public library, which is the largest in Europe, will be hosting events this weekend as part of their “Discovery Season” to celebrate the opening of the venue.
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Jake Mackinnon
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>> GALLERY: See more pictures of the new Library of Birmingham here. <<
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