A meeting of two of life’s biggest optimists. Salman Rushdie in conversation with @ericawgnr at Southbank Centre. We were all rapt for a full hour and a half, which included readings from Anjana Vasan and Sanjeev Bhaskar of Knife. I urge you to read it.

I am honoured to be joining the Board of English PEN. In these turbulent times we are facing, PEN is more needed than ever, and I look forward to supporting PEN’s important work, fighting for the freedom to write and the freedom to read around the world.

We’re delighted to welcome new trustees @rachdavisauthor, @dinanayeri & Nicky Parker, who have joined the Board of English PEN.
englishpen.org/posts/news/eng…

'But the meaning is up to the telling, and the telling changes in every instance.'

Today in #PENTransmissions , Mariam Jallow on the folklore, fear, and storytelling – part of our series, Young Voices, showcasing Gen Z writers.
pentransmissions.com/2024/04/18/thi…

Read our interview with Ana Paula on #PENTransmissions .

pentransmissions.com/2023/06/27/nau…

Thrilled for Ana Paula Maia, Zoë Perry and Charco Press – Of Cattle and Men is not only a #PENTranslates winner, it’s a masterpiece. Republic of Consciousness Prize English PEN

theguardian.com/books/2024/apr…

A #UK High Court hearing on 20 May will decide whether #JulianAssange ’s permission to appeal can proceed. The dangerous prospect of his extradition is all too real. We urge the #US to drop all charges. #FreeAssangeNOW : pen-international.org/news/julian-as…

PEN International joins English PEN and other human rights organisations urging the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to take immediate action regarding Alaa Abd el-Fattah's imprisonment in #Egypt : pen-international.org/news/alaa-abd-… #FreeAlaa #SaveAlaa

Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s writing is a living reminder of the importance of the principles of the PEN International Charter.

Scottish PEN is proud to join English PEN and a host of human rights orgs in asking the UNWGAD to take urgent action on this case.

We are still waiting for an update from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Alaa Abd el-Fattah's ongoing imprisonment in Egypt.

Today, 27 human rights orgs ask the UNWGAD to take urgent action. #FreeAlaa Free Alaa
englishpen.org/posts/campaign…

Thrilled to be working with The Booker Prizes for this #PENPresents round for translators from the Global Majority. Outstanding writing, outstanding translation, more of it, greater representation, better financial conditions.

Join Southbank Centre and English PEN for the UK launch of Salman Rushdie's memoir, in conversation via livestream with Erica Wagner, and with live readings from actors Anjana Vasan and Sanjeev Bhaskar.

Sunday 21 April, 2.30pm, Queen Elizabeth Hall.
englishpen.org/posts/events/s…

We are still waiting for the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's (UNWGAD) report on Alaa's imprisonment.

Today 27 freedom of expression and human rights organisations, coordinated by English PEN, have written to UNWGAD, pressing for more urgency.

englishpen.org/posts/campaign…

‘Since 2016, submissions to the International Booker Prize and to English PEN’s PEN Translates programme have told the same story: while the representation of authors of the Global Majority is increasing, translators from the Global Majority remain chronically underrepresented.’

We are also partnering with English PEN on a new round of its PEN Presents programme, which supports emerging translators. The International Booker Prize X PEN Presents programme will have a specific focus on translators from the Global Majority.⁠

thebookerprizes.com/media-centre/p…

Today marks ten years since the arrest of Waleed Abu al-Khair, winner of the 2018 PEN Pinter Prize for a Writer of Courage.

We join colleagues around the world in continuing to call for his immediate & unconditional release. #FreeWaleed alqst.org/en/post/ten-ye…

We are thrilled to be partners with English PEN and Estate of Seamus Heaney in the new PEN Heaney Prize for poetry. Open for submissions now englishpen.org/prizes/pen-hea…
Therese Kieran John O'Donnell Celia de Fréine Lia Mills Padraig Hanratty moyra_donaldson Neil Hegarty Dublin UNESCO

On the eve Seamus's birthday, we're delighted to announce the PEN Heaney Prize, a new poetry prize in partnership with our friends English PEN and Irish PEN. More details here: englishpen.org/prizes/pen-hea…

PEN Heaney Prize launched irishtimes.com/culture/books/… via Irish Times Books

The new PEN Heaney Prize, which will recognise outstanding poetry with a focus on social engagement, is being launched
rte.ie/news/ireland/2…