In Focus

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      Every year, PEN International hosts a number of events around the world promoting freedom of expression and celebrating literature in a variety of ways. PEN Centres stage events such as literary festivals large and small, storytelling sessions with families and children, book clubs and everything in between. One important occasion to mark is the annual Day of the Imprisoned Writer, 15 November, which gives the entire PEN community a chance to celebrate our work across the world as well as drawing attention to the ongoing persecution faced by many writers today.

    • 25 Feb 2012 Addis Ababa
      Ethiopian PEN Writers’ Congress
    • 29 Feb 2012 san miguel de allende
      San Miguel de Allende Writers Aloud event series
    • 14 Mar 2012 san miguel de allende
      San Miguel de Allende Writers Aloud event series

    Campaigns

    PEN International campaigns on behalf of writers across the globe who are persecuted, harassed and attacked for what they have written, for having spoken out on behalf of others or simply for being a writer.

    We also campaign on issues such as defamation, ‘insult’ law and the murder with impunity by those in power seeking to silence dissenters. We also identify countries where human rights records are particularly harsh, and make them the focus of campaigns. Campaigning for freedom of expression was at the heart of PEN from the moment we were founded in 1921, and has remained a constant priority to this day. Learn more about Our History.

    Today, ‘freedom of expression’ means more to us than simply the basic right to share spoken or written ideas without fear of attack; it also means the right to share ideas and literatures across languages and cultures; the right to be published; the right to an education; the right to write in peace; and, critically, the right to read.

    All our work, as well as the range of our campaigns, reflects this more general definition of what it means to have freedom of expression.

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    PEN International celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression. Founded in 1921, our global community of writers now spans more than 100 countries. Our campaigns, events, publications and programmes aim to connect writers and readers wherever they are in the world.