PEN Canada
@pencanada.bsky.social
We defend free expression, aid writers in peril, and celebrate literature.
pencanada.ca
pencanada.ca
This fall, Ira Wells met with our PEN counterparts in Kyiv for a week-long series of expeditions sponsored by PEN Ukraine.
In Ukraine, he spoke with writers, human rights advocates, former prisoners of war, and ordinary Ukrainians suffering under Russian occupation:
thewalrus.ca/ukraines-war...
In Ukraine, he spoke with writers, human rights advocates, former prisoners of war, and ordinary Ukrainians suffering under Russian occupation:
thewalrus.ca/ukraines-war...
Ukraine’s War Is Producing a New Politics of Memory | The Walrus
Amid the destruction, Ukrainians are rapidly converting sites of violence into lasting national markers
thewalrus.ca
January 5, 2026 at 10:28 PM
This fall, Ira Wells met with our PEN counterparts in Kyiv for a week-long series of expeditions sponsored by PEN Ukraine.
In Ukraine, he spoke with writers, human rights advocates, former prisoners of war, and ordinary Ukrainians suffering under Russian occupation:
thewalrus.ca/ukraines-war...
In Ukraine, he spoke with writers, human rights advocates, former prisoners of war, and ordinary Ukrainians suffering under Russian occupation:
thewalrus.ca/ukraines-war...
"Receiving the prize was not just a personal milestone, but a moment that drew my attention away from myself and toward the deeper cause it represents," Diary Marif writes in his piece for Voices in Exile.
"It points to the story, the struggle, and the voice of Sherwan Sherwani."
buff.ly/2HSBnBM
"It points to the story, the struggle, and the voice of Sherwan Sherwani."
buff.ly/2HSBnBM
The Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize: Sherwan Sherwani’s Fight for Freedom — Voices in Exile
Diary Marif Vancouver-based Kurdish writer**
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
"Receiving the prize was not just a personal milestone, but a moment that drew my attention away from myself and toward the deeper cause it represents," Diary Marif writes in his piece for Voices in Exile.
"It points to the story, the struggle, and the voice of Sherwan Sherwani."
buff.ly/2HSBnBM
"It points to the story, the struggle, and the voice of Sherwan Sherwani."
buff.ly/2HSBnBM
This holiday season, write a letter of solidarity to Jimmy Lai 💌
Last week, guilty verdicts were handed down in Hong Kong in the trial of the writer and newspaper publisher.
With his sentencing expected in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Last week, guilty verdicts were handed down in Hong Kong in the trial of the writer and newspaper publisher.
With his sentencing expected in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
December 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This holiday season, write a letter of solidarity to Jimmy Lai 💌
Last week, guilty verdicts were handed down in Hong Kong in the trial of the writer and newspaper publisher.
With his sentencing expected in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Last week, guilty verdicts were handed down in Hong Kong in the trial of the writer and newspaper publisher.
With his sentencing expected in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
"The people who trust me with their stories — refugees, survivors, dissenters, families navigating grief or injustice — they remind me every day that storytelling is a sacred responsibility,"
Read Samira Mohyeddin's Ken Filkow Speech: buff.ly/doUNORz
Read Samira Mohyeddin's Ken Filkow Speech: buff.ly/doUNORz
December 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"The people who trust me with their stories — refugees, survivors, dissenters, families navigating grief or injustice — they remind me every day that storytelling is a sacred responsibility,"
Read Samira Mohyeddin's Ken Filkow Speech: buff.ly/doUNORz
Read Samira Mohyeddin's Ken Filkow Speech: buff.ly/doUNORz
Reposted by PEN Canada
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...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
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.
www.reuters.com
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Reposted by PEN Canada
President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which seeks an extraordinary $10 billion, represents a coercive ploy to globalize his domestic threats to a free and independent press and to chill reporting overseas, says PEN America. Full statement: pen.org/press-releas...
By Suing the BBC, President Trump Exports His Anti-Press Tactics Abroad
President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which seeks an extraordinary $10 billion, represents a coercive ploy to globalize his domestic threats to a free and independent press and to chil...
pen.org
December 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which seeks an extraordinary $10 billion, represents a coercive ploy to globalize his domestic threats to a free and independent press and to chill reporting overseas, says PEN America. Full statement: pen.org/press-releas...
PEN strongly condemns the arbitrary, violent arrest and detention of writer and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on December 12.
Iranian authorities should immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure that she has access to her lawyer and family.
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Iranian authorities should immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure that she has access to her lawyer and family.
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
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...
www.pen-international.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:46 PM
PEN strongly condemns the arbitrary, violent arrest and detention of writer and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on December 12.
Iranian authorities should immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure that she has access to her lawyer and family.
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Iranian authorities should immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure that she has access to her lawyer and family.
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
PEN Canada is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts handed down in the trial of writer and publisher Jimmy Lai earlier today.
With sentencing due in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
buff.ly/9kHgWBi
With sentencing due in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
buff.ly/9kHgWBi
December 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
PEN Canada is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts handed down in the trial of writer and publisher Jimmy Lai earlier today.
With sentencing due in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
buff.ly/9kHgWBi
With sentencing due in January 2026, Lai, who recently turned 78, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
buff.ly/9kHgWBi
Jimmy Lai, who turned 78 behind bars last week, was found guilty today of 2 counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed national security law, and a third count of sedition under colonial-era legislation.
More in the 855-page verdict: hongkongfp.com/2025/12/15/i...
More in the 855-page verdict: hongkongfp.com/2025/12/15/i...
In full: The 855-page guilty verdict against media tycoon Jimmy Lai
The full verdict: Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of collusion and sedition in his national security trial.
hongkongfp.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Jimmy Lai, who turned 78 behind bars last week, was found guilty today of 2 counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed national security law, and a third count of sedition under colonial-era legislation.
More in the 855-page verdict: hongkongfp.com/2025/12/15/i...
More in the 855-page verdict: hongkongfp.com/2025/12/15/i...
Today, writer and media publisher Jimmy Lai was found guilty on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law, and a third count of seditious publications under the territory’s colonial-era sedition law.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
Jimmy Lai found guilty in long-running national security trial - News & Events - English PEN
www.englishpen.org
December 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Today, writer and media publisher Jimmy Lai was found guilty on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law, and a third count of seditious publications under the territory’s colonial-era sedition law.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
How are the attacks on arts and culture in the U.S. impacting Canadian teachers, librarians and writers?
In an online (@cfetmu.bsky.social panel, Robin Stevenson (Canadian author, @robinstevenson.bsky.social) tells us about what teacher librarians are experiecning:
In an online (@cfetmu.bsky.social panel, Robin Stevenson (Canadian author, @robinstevenson.bsky.social) tells us about what teacher librarians are experiecning:
December 12, 2025 at 11:30 PM
How are the attacks on arts and culture in the U.S. impacting Canadian teachers, librarians and writers?
In an online (@cfetmu.bsky.social panel, Robin Stevenson (Canadian author, @robinstevenson.bsky.social) tells us about what teacher librarians are experiecning:
In an online (@cfetmu.bsky.social panel, Robin Stevenson (Canadian author, @robinstevenson.bsky.social) tells us about what teacher librarians are experiecning:
After months of threats, Iranian authorities have rearrested human rights defender, writer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
Mohammadi was detained by plain clothed security forces after giving a speech at a memorial service for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi:
pen.org/press-releas...
Mohammadi was detained by plain clothed security forces after giving a speech at a memorial service for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi:
pen.org/press-releas...
Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran, alongside other human rights defenders and journalists, one year after her temporary liberation
After months of threats, Iranian authorities have re-arrested writer, journalist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
pen.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
After months of threats, Iranian authorities have rearrested human rights defender, writer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
Mohammadi was detained by plain clothed security forces after giving a speech at a memorial service for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi:
pen.org/press-releas...
Mohammadi was detained by plain clothed security forces after giving a speech at a memorial service for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi:
pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by PEN Canada
#Vietnam: Ahead of the 4th anniversary of writer Pham Doan Trang's unjust sentencing, we join @rsf.org @amnesty.org @penamerica.bsky.social @pressfreedom.bsky.social & others in calling on the international community to secure her release #FreePhamDoanTrang www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
Vietnam: Four years after Pham Doan Trang’s sentencing, the international coalition is once again urging her release — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldw...
12 December 2025 – Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the sentencing of prominent Vietnamese journalist, writer, and woman human rights defender Pham Doan Trang, an international coalition of non-gove...
www.pen-international.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM
#Vietnam: Ahead of the 4th anniversary of writer Pham Doan Trang's unjust sentencing, we join @rsf.org @amnesty.org @penamerica.bsky.social @pressfreedom.bsky.social & others in calling on the international community to secure her release #FreePhamDoanTrang www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
The story behind Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize winner, Diary Marif:
Despite considerable risk to his own safety, Marif travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan and met with members of the regional parliament, journalists, and organizations urging pressure on the authorities for the release of Sherwan Sherwani...
Despite considerable risk to his own safety, Marif travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan and met with members of the regional parliament, journalists, and organizations urging pressure on the authorities for the release of Sherwan Sherwani...
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The story behind Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize winner, Diary Marif:
Despite considerable risk to his own safety, Marif travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan and met with members of the regional parliament, journalists, and organizations urging pressure on the authorities for the release of Sherwan Sherwani...
Despite considerable risk to his own safety, Marif travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan and met with members of the regional parliament, journalists, and organizations urging pressure on the authorities for the release of Sherwan Sherwani...
Basking in glow of last week's PEN Awards Night ✨
Thank you to the writers, journalists, advocates and friends who joined us last week to celebrate the recipients of three awards, as well as achievements of our wider community.
Thank you to the writers, journalists, advocates and friends who joined us last week to celebrate the recipients of three awards, as well as achievements of our wider community.
December 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Basking in glow of last week's PEN Awards Night ✨
Thank you to the writers, journalists, advocates and friends who joined us last week to celebrate the recipients of three awards, as well as achievements of our wider community.
Thank you to the writers, journalists, advocates and friends who joined us last week to celebrate the recipients of three awards, as well as achievements of our wider community.
This week, your donation to PEN will make double the impact: each gift to PEN Canada this week will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000.
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding or finding safe passage for them:
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding or finding safe passage for them:
Impact means working tirelessly to secure the release of journalists and authors unjustly imprisoned for speaking truth to power.
Help us help them.
Be a part of the collective effort to support #writers in danger: pencanada.ca/donate/
Help us help them.
Be a part of the collective effort to support #writers in danger: pencanada.ca/donate/
Donate - PEN Canada
Make a donation to PEN. Every dollar makes a difference. Other ways to give: leave a gift in your will, gift securities, become a patron.
pencanada.ca
December 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
This week, your donation to PEN will make double the impact: each gift to PEN Canada this week will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000.
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding or finding safe passage for them:
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding or finding safe passage for them:
This week, your donation to PEN will make double the impact: each gift to PEN Canada this week will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000.
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding, or finding safe passage for them.
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding, or finding safe passage for them.
December 2, 2025 at 9:09 PM
This week, your donation to PEN will make double the impact: each gift to PEN Canada this week will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000.
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding, or finding safe passage for them.
At PEN Canada, impact means sending emergency grants to #writers forced into hiding, or finding safe passage for them.
We joined nine partner organizations to urge Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe to investigate death threats made against Indian #journalist and Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub and her father, and to provide immediate protection for both.
Read our letter here: buff.ly/HxeFVuq
Read our letter here: buff.ly/HxeFVuq
CPJ, partners urge Indian police to probe threats against journalist Rana Ayyub and her father - Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists and nine partner organizations on November 19 urged Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe to investigate death threats made against Indian journalist…
cpj.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
We joined nine partner organizations to urge Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe to investigate death threats made against Indian #journalist and Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub and her father, and to provide immediate protection for both.
Read our letter here: buff.ly/HxeFVuq
Read our letter here: buff.ly/HxeFVuq
Diary Marif has won the 2025 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize, which recognizes those that assist imperiled writers.
After a call for nominations from the public, the jury selected Marif due to his work to raise awareness of the plight of Kurdish journalists imprisoned in Iraqi Kurdistan.
buff.ly/JMj2BSN
After a call for nominations from the public, the jury selected Marif due to his work to raise awareness of the plight of Kurdish journalists imprisoned in Iraqi Kurdistan.
buff.ly/JMj2BSN
Diary Marif awarded 2025 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize - PEN Canada
The Latest
pencanada.ca
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Diary Marif has won the 2025 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize, which recognizes those that assist imperiled writers.
After a call for nominations from the public, the jury selected Marif due to his work to raise awareness of the plight of Kurdish journalists imprisoned in Iraqi Kurdistan.
buff.ly/JMj2BSN
After a call for nominations from the public, the jury selected Marif due to his work to raise awareness of the plight of Kurdish journalists imprisoned in Iraqi Kurdistan.
buff.ly/JMj2BSN
Reposted by PEN Canada
PEN International celebrates @smohyeddin.bsky.social, winner of the 2025 Ken Filkow Prize from @pencanada.bsky.social for her courageous journalism and defence of free expression.
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
PEN International celebrates @smohyeddin.bsky.social, winner of the 2025 Ken Filkow Prize from @pencanada.bsky.social for her courageous journalism and defence of free expression.
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
Samira Mohyeddin has won the 2025 Ken Filkow Prize, which recognizes those whose work has advanced freedom of expression in Canada.
Mohyeddin will receive the prize in Toronto on Friday, November 28, 2025 at the annual PEN Canada Awards Night.
Mohyeddin will receive the prize in Toronto on Friday, November 28, 2025 at the annual PEN Canada Awards Night.
Samira Mohyeddin awarded 2025 Ken Filkow Prize - PEN Canada
The Latest
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Samira Mohyeddin has won the 2025 Ken Filkow Prize, which recognizes those whose work has advanced freedom of expression in Canada.
Mohyeddin will receive the prize in Toronto on Friday, November 28, 2025 at the annual PEN Canada Awards Night.
Mohyeddin will receive the prize in Toronto on Friday, November 28, 2025 at the annual PEN Canada Awards Night.
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Today we call for justice for voices that continue to be silenced.
Head to pen-international.org to learn more about their cases, get prompts for solidarity letters, and discover how you can take action over the next four weeks.
-
Head to pen-international.org to learn more about their cases, get prompts for solidarity letters, and discover how you can take action over the next four weeks.
-
November 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Today we call for justice for voices that continue to be silenced.
Head to pen-international.org to learn more about their cases, get prompts for solidarity letters, and discover how you can take action over the next four weeks.
-
Head to pen-international.org to learn more about their cases, get prompts for solidarity letters, and discover how you can take action over the next four weeks.
-
Join us next week for an online panel on how the attack on #arts and culture in the U.S. is impacting Canada.
Panelists:
• Jordan Laffrenier, Associate Artistic Director, Canadian Stage
• Sascha Priewe, President, ICOM Canada
• Robin Stevenson Writes, award-winning Canadian author
Panelists:
• Jordan Laffrenier, Associate Artistic Director, Canadian Stage
• Sascha Priewe, President, ICOM Canada
• Robin Stevenson Writes, award-winning Canadian author
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Join us next week for an online panel on how the attack on #arts and culture in the U.S. is impacting Canada.
Panelists:
• Jordan Laffrenier, Associate Artistic Director, Canadian Stage
• Sascha Priewe, President, ICOM Canada
• Robin Stevenson Writes, award-winning Canadian author
Panelists:
• Jordan Laffrenier, Associate Artistic Director, Canadian Stage
• Sascha Priewe, President, ICOM Canada
• Robin Stevenson Writes, award-winning Canadian author
Reposted by PEN Canada
#Algeria: We condemn the 5-year prison sentence against poet #MohamedTadjadit for his poetry and peaceful activism.
Tadjadit will be featured in our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign launching Sat 15 Nov. Join us to help free him.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/joint-s...
Tadjadit will be featured in our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign launching Sat 15 Nov. Join us to help free him.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/joint-s...
Algeria: Joint statement demands immediate release of Algerian Hirak poet Mohamed Tadjadit risking a death penalty sentence ahead of November 11 hearing — PEN International | Promoting Literature & De...
10 November 2025: PEN International joins 19 Algerian, regional, and international organisations in calling for the immediate release of Algerian Hirak poet and activist Mohamed Tadjadit, who faces ba...
www.pen-international.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
#Algeria: We condemn the 5-year prison sentence against poet #MohamedTadjadit for his poetry and peaceful activism.
Tadjadit will be featured in our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign launching Sat 15 Nov. Join us to help free him.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/joint-s...
Tadjadit will be featured in our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign launching Sat 15 Nov. Join us to help free him.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/joint-s...
Reposted by PEN Canada
Event announcement 📚
Join us on November 13 for an evening with Canisia Lubrin, in a conversation with Souvankham Thammavongsa, as we celebrate Lubrin’s forthcoming book The World After Rain.
Tickets: buff.ly/AgafNX9
Join us on November 13 for an evening with Canisia Lubrin, in a conversation with Souvankham Thammavongsa, as we celebrate Lubrin’s forthcoming book The World After Rain.
Tickets: buff.ly/AgafNX9
October 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Event announcement 📚
Join us on November 13 for an evening with Canisia Lubrin, in a conversation with Souvankham Thammavongsa, as we celebrate Lubrin’s forthcoming book The World After Rain.
Tickets: buff.ly/AgafNX9
Join us on November 13 for an evening with Canisia Lubrin, in a conversation with Souvankham Thammavongsa, as we celebrate Lubrin’s forthcoming book The World After Rain.
Tickets: buff.ly/AgafNX9