Banned Books Museum

The Banned Books Museum (Estonian: Keelatud kirjanduse muuseum) in Tallinn, Estonia, is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of books that have been banned or censored around the world. The museum was created to promote freedom of speech and unrestricted access to information.

History
The Banned Books Museum was established in December 2020 by Joseph Maximillian Dunnigan. Dunnigan, originally from Scotland, developed an interest in issues related to censorship and freedom of speech during his time in China. He later moved to Estonia, where he studied social entrepreneurship at Tallinn University and conceived the idea for the museum.

Exhibits
The museum houses a collection of banned and censored books from various countries and time periods, showcasing the reasons behind their censorship and the impact of such actions on society. The collection includes a diverse range of books that have been banned for political, religious, social, or moral reasons. Notable exhibits include works by authors such as George Orwell, Salman Rushdie, and J.K. Rowling. Each exhibit provides context about the book, including the reasons for its banning and the broader cultural and historical implications. The stated purpose is for museum visitors to consider perspectives they might find offensive in other contexts.