Malala Yousafzai opened the new Birmingham Library today.
How’s that for the best possible revenge? It’s not revenge at all, it’s just surviving and flourishing and being an inspiration to people who need that very thing, when ignorant warped bullies wanted her dead.
As part of the opening ceremony, Malala placed her copy of The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho in the library – the last book to go on the shelves. She has been given membership to access the archive.
Addressing the public, Malala said she was feeling very proud the building had been designed by a woman and the city was now her second home after her “beloved Pakistan”.
She said books were weapons to beat terrorism and “the only way to global peace is reading knowledge and education”.
“Books are precious,” she explained.
“Some books travel with you back centuries, others take you into the future. Some take you to the core of your heart and others take you into the universe.
“There’s no better way to explain the importance of books than to show even God chose the medium of a book to send his message to his people.
“This library will continue to enlighten future generations.
“It is written that a room without books is like a body without a soul. A city without a library is like a graveyard.”
Speaking of how Birmingham has become a home to her, Malala said: “This city is the beating heart of England.
“Birmingham is very special for me, because it was here I found myself alive seven days after I was shot.”
She said the “great people” of the city gave her moral support.
“This event proves this city loves me and I love it too.”
The BBC has a slideshow – the restored Shakespeare room is a knockout, as is the roof garden and the view of Brum from the roof.