English PEN

Leaping Seasons Hongyu Jasmine Zhu on precious memories with her mother.

'I had imagined today many times, since February 29 became mama’s day of leaving. I had been afraid of looking for a twenty-ninth day and not finding one.'

Today in #PENTransmissions, @jasmine-hongyu.bsky.social on precious memories with her mother.

pentransmissions.com/2026/02/27/l...

Nothing Is Real, Everything Is Real: An Interview with Michelle Steinbeck and Jen Calleja Michelle Steinbeck and Jen Calleja on fascism, femicide, and ghosts.

‘This was a major concern while creating the book: how to write about the violence without reproducing it.’

In #PENTransmissions, Michelle Steinbeck and Jen Calleja on fascism, femicide, and ghosts.

pentransmissions.com/2026/02/19/n...

Open call: two five-day residencies for writers experiencing displacement to the UK - News & Events - English PEN English PEN open call: two five-day residencies for writers experiencing displacement to the UK

Apply & share! @englishpen.bsky.social writing residencies for "writers currently based in England who identify as experiencing displacement – including (but not only) refugee writers, writers seeking asylum, and writers in exile."

www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

#UK: Today, the High Court ruled that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.

Read our previous joint statement with @englishpen.bsky.social ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/united-...

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws

We welcome the High Court's decision finding the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful. Overly broad counter-terrorism legislation can pose a serious threat to the safeguarding of civil liberties.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

English PEN at the Salon at LBF 2026 - English PEN English PEN’s annual programme at London Book Fair returns, with a day-long takeover of the Salon at the Fair on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

English PEN at the Salon is returning to the London Book Fair this year on Wednesday 11 March, featuring five events exploring pressing free expression issues for the literary sector.

Discover the full programme and book tickets to #LBF26 ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/events...

We believe that art, including music, should be protected as a form of freedom of expression. We're proud to sign Art Not Evidence's letter to the Justice Secretary calling for limits on the use of art as criminal evidence.

Read more ⤵️
www.justice.org.uk/news/rapper-...

Open call: two five-day residencies for writers experiencing displacement to the UK - News & Events - English PEN English PEN open call: two five-day residencies for writers experiencing displacement to the UK

We’ve opened applications for two short residencies for writers in the UK who are currently experiencing displacement.

Find out more and apply ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/not-ra...

China – Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison in a devastating blow to freedom of expression — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘Sentencing Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison is an act of profound cruelty. It is a punishment intended not only to silence one man, but to extinguish independent journalism from Hong Kong. Given Jimmy...

China – Hong Kong: A 20-year sentence for #JimmyLai is a chilling act of repression. At 78, after years in solitary confinement and with failing health, this punishment is cruel and unjust. PEN International calls for his immediate release. www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

PEN Translates winners announced - News & Events - English PEN

We’re delighted to announce that 18 titles from 14 publishers, 12 languages and 16 regions have won #PENTranslates awards.
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/p...

Knowing Is a Kind of Pain: An Interview with Vaddey Ratner Vaddey Ratner on memory, narrative history, and storytelling as a means of survival.

‘I think of memory as finite. It’s personal. Once you’re gone, that memory goes with you. Myth, by contrast, lives beyond you.’

Today in #PENTransmissions, Vaddey Ratner on memory, narrative history, and storytelling as a means of survival.
pentransmissions.com/2026/01/29/k...

Iran protester 'to be executed tomorrow', rights group says, as official says 2,000 killed in crackdown - live updates Eyewitnesses tell the BBC Iranian security forces

#Iran: We are deeply concerned about the deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. Iranian authorities should end the use of deadly force and arbitrary detention, respect freedom of expression, and restore internet services immediately. @penmena.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...

The 2026 PEN Lecture with Max Porter - News & Events - English PEN

We’re delighted to announce that award-winning writer Max Porter will deliver the 2026 PEN Lecture in partnership with @newwritingnorth.bsky.social & @nclanews.bsky.social.

Join us for the #PENLecture on 29 April, 6pm, Curtis Auditorium, Newcastle.

Book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/events...

We are hugely relieved to welcome the news that British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah has now been reunited with his family in the UK. This long-awaited moment is a testament to their unwavering advocacy and resilience.

Georgia: Ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on journalistic protections in the context of protest sets important precedent — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of E... 17 December 2025 – PEN International, PEN Georgia and English PEN welcome the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) judgment in the case of Tsaava and Others v. Georgia handed down on 11 D...

#Georgia: We welcome @echr.coe.int's landmark judgment in the case of Tsaava and Others v. #Georgia on the policing of protests and the protection of journalists, citing our joint intervention with PEN Georgia & English PEN.

Read our joint statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...

Belarus: PEN members amongst those released into exile — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘The PEN movement has been eagerly campaigning for this moment for years. As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge just...

#Belarus: As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge justice for the violations they suffered, including their forced exile.

Read our statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...

Iran: authorities must release writer and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi immediately and ensure her safety  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwid... “We are deeply shocked by the news of the brutal assault and subsequent detention of prominent Iranian writer and Nobel laureate, Narges Mohammadi last week. Mohammadi has always faced persecution due...

#Iran: PEN International condemns the violent and arbitrary arrest of Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on 12 December. We are gravely concerned for her health and safety and call for her immediate and unconditional release.

Read our statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...

China - Hong Kong: Civil society organisations urge UK PM to stand up for Jimmy Lai — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide 15 December 2025: Following today’s unjust guilty verdict handed down to writer and media publisher Jimmy Lai, PEN International and English PEN have joined Hong Kong Watch and over 30 other civ...

#HongKong: Yesterday, we have joined @englishpen.bsky.social, @hongkongwatch.bsky.social & over 30 other civil society organisations in an open letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him press for Jimmy Lai's release.

Read the letter below ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

Jimmy Lai found guilty in long-running national security trial - News & Events - English PEN

Together with @peninternational.bsky.social, we condemn the guilty verdict against Jimmy Lai & urge the UK government to act immediately and decisively on his behalf.

Read our statement & send a message of solidarity to Jimmy Lai through #PENWrites. #FreeJimmyLai
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Ales Bialiatski, who won Nobel prize while behind bars, is freed from prison in Belarus The human-rights campaigner won the Nobel Peace Prize while behind bars.

We welcome the long-awaited release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski and Maksim Znak and fellow writers after years behind bars! We continue urging #Belarus to free all those still held on trumped up grounds. #FreeThemAll
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Coffee Corner Bushra al-Maqtari on how Sana’a, Yemen, has changed. Translated by Sawad Hussain.

‘The cafés have become ruins, victims of widespread destruction, destruction that you can smell and touch.’

Today in #PENTransmissions, Bushra al-Maqtari on how Sana’a, Yemen, has changed. Translated by Sawad Hussain.
pentransmissions.com/2025/12/11/c...

This festive season, don't argue about free speech.
Gift it. Give the gift of an English PEN membership to a loved – or not-so-loved – one this winter.

Looking for a meaningful gift this holiday season?

By purchasing a gift membership to English PEN, you’ll be supporting our mission to champion freedom of expression.

Find out more: www.englishpen.org/become-a-mem...

Dissolving Sugar in Water: A Long Conversation with Solvej Balle Solvej Balle on time, morality, and searching.

'Gosh, this is difficult – it’s so difficult to try and explain something that has lasted 40 years.'

In #PENTransmissions, Solvej Balle on time, morality, and searching.
pentransmissions.com/2025/12/04/d...

Poet Tom Paulin wins 2025 PEN Heaney Prize

Delighted to work with @englishpen.bsky.social & @irishpen.bsky.social on this year's PEN Heaney Prize.

Congrats to Tom Paulin, winner of the 2025 award for Namanlagh @faberbooks.bsky.social.

The prize was presented at @nlireland.bsky.social on Monday evening: www.rte.ie/culture/2025...

We're delighted to announce with @englishpen.bsky.social & @seamusheaneyestate.bsky.social the winner of the PEN Heaney Prize is Namanlagh by Tom Paulin. It's a wonderful collection! Congratulations to all our finalists, and huge thanks to the judges Sasha Dugdale, Séan Hewitt & Zaffar Kunial 👏🍾

Tom Paulin wins PEN Heaney Prize 2025 - News & Events - English PEN

Together with @irishpen.bsky.social and the Estate of Seamus Heaney, we’re delighted to announce Tom Paulin’s Namanlagh @faberbooks.bsky.social as the winner of the #PENHeaneyPrize 2025, awarded tonight at the @nlireland.bsky.social.

Find out more ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/t...

We are deeply saddened by the death of Tom Stoppard and extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. A longtime supporter of English PEN and the recipient of the 2013 PEN Pinter Prize, Tom's contributions to literature and the arts leave an immense and enduring legacy.

Dublin poets! Come join us together with @englishpen.bsky.social & The Seamus Heaney Estate for the announcement of the PEN Heaney Prize 2025. @nlireland.bsky.social Monday 1st December - details for booking below 👇👇🏾👇🏼👇🏿👇🏼

Vacancy: Treasurer - English PEN

📣 We're looking for a new Treasurer!

If you're passionate about words, human rights, and good governance, we'd love to hear from you. Help guide the future of one of the world's oldest human rights organisations.

📅 Apply by 24 November ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...

Join English PEN’s letter-writing campaign for Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2025: send a message of hope and solidarity to an imprisoned writer.

To mark Day of the #ImprisonedWriter today, send a message of solidarity through our letter-writing campaign, #PENWrites, and join indie bookshops across the UK who are taking part.

💌 Write a letter of hope: www.englishpen.org/campaigns/pe...