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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2h

PEN/Opp marks #BannedBooksWeek with their latest publication Against the Grain: Writing Resistance by Shubigi Rao, a Singaporean artist, writer and filmmaker.

Read now ⬇️

penopp.org/articles/aga...

penopp.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6h

Congratulations to Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai for winning the 2025 Nobel Prize in literature.

www.theguardian.com/books/live/2...

Nobel prize in literature 2025 as it happened: László Krasznahorkai wins ‘for his compelling and visionary oeuvre’

Nobel academy cites Hungarian novelist for work that ‘in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art’

www.theguardian.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 1d

For all those attending Frankfurt Book Fair next week, join PEN International, the Young Writers Committee, and the Tomorrow Club for a panel discussion on the future of writing and free expression.

#fbm25 @youngwriterspen.bsky.social

RSVP link: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 1d

We are alarmed at reports that photojournalist and writer Shahidul Alam and others have been detained following the interception of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza. We call for their immediate release and safe return.

Read his recent article ⬇️
en.prothomalo.com/opinion/5gzi...

Life on Conscience

This is not about those of us on this ship. It is about Palestinians, particularly Gazans. We have gone way past the time for words and gestures. It is time for action.

en.prothomalo.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 1d

At our 90th Congress in Kraków, Olga Tokarczuk, Nobel laureate and Vice President of PEN International, reflected on how Ukraine’s literary life has not only survived but flourished despite the devastation of war.

Watch the full 5 minutes on our website: www.pen-international.org/congress

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

32 years ago today, Toni Morrison became the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

A long-standing member of PEN America and Vice President of PEN International, Morrison was a fierce advocate for writers whose voices were silenced.

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

CC: @penmena.bsky.social

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

Today, we honour the resilience of writers who continue to document and bear witness through their words to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The featured poem is written by Yousri Al-Goul, who remains living in Gaza as a leading voice in the literary scene.

A black background graphic by PEN International featuring an olive branch illustration on the right. The text is a poem by Yousri Al-Goul, written in white, addressing God through a series of laments about loss and memory. It reads:
"O God,
How can a mother who buried her son walk through the market, see a young man who looks like him, and feel the urge to hug him—only to realize she is holding on to nothing but air?
O God,
How can a woman who lost her husband see his face on every wall and in every corner of the city, as if the stones themselves have memorized his features?
O God,
How can a daughter whose father died shielding her from bullets find his photograph hanging among the ruins, and understand that she has not only lost her father, but has inherited the wound of a homeland?
O God,
How can a son go to the sea, hear his father’s voice in the waves teaching him how to swim as he once did, and then lose that voice again—as if the sea were the guardian of final memories, and the waves carried only the absence of fathers?
O God,
How are we supposed to forget?
Do You forget?"
The poet’s name, Yousri Al-Goul, appears in red text at the bottom right.

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

Read our statement from earlier this year ⬇️

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

@penmena.bsky.social

(4/4)

OPT/Israel: There is no safe place in Gaza. Impose an arms embargo and end the genocide now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

“Genocide is the ultimate form of silencing. The ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality is at the core of PEN International’s mission. World leaders must respond to the gravity of the ongo...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

We renew our calls for an immediate end to all hostilities in Gaza, unfettered humanitarian access, the release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and an end to Israel’s occupation and apartheid.

(3/4)

OPT/Israel: There is no safe place in Gaza. Impose an arms embargo and end the genocide now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

“Genocide is the ultimate form of silencing. The ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality is at the core of PEN International’s mission. World leaders must respond to the gravity of the ongo...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

Two years since Israel began a genocidal campaign in Gaza that has killed over 67000 Palestinians, destroyed most of Gaza’s infrastructure, caused famine, and displaced the entire population. We remain outraged by the international community’s failure to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza. (2/4)

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

Two years since armed Palestinian groups' attacks, where some 1200 Israelis, including civilians, were killed, and 251 taken hostage.

(1/4)

OPT/Israel: There is no safe place in Gaza. Impose an arms embargo and end the genocide now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

“Genocide is the ultimate form of silencing. The ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality is at the core of PEN International’s mission. World leaders must respond to the gravity of the ongo...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 3d

#Türkiye: We condemn the continuing judicial harassment of writer Yavuz Ekinci (@yavuzekinci.bsky.social), after his hearing was postponed yet again to 10 November. Ludicrous terror propaganda charges against him must be dropped at once.

Read more ⬇️

www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/3592...

"Rüyası Bölünenler" romanı yargılanmaya devam ediyor: Duruşma ertelendi | Agos

Edebiyatçı Yavuz Ekinci, 10 yıl önce yayımlanan “Rüyası Bölünenler” romanı nedeniyle “örgüt propagandası yapmak” iddiasıyla yargılanıyor. Davanın ikinci duruşması İstanbul 23. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi’nde ...

www.agos.com.tr

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 3d

#Vietnam: On the fifth anniversary of writer and journalist Pham Doan Trang's arrest, we join a coalition of 21 rights organisations calling for her release.

Read our statement ⬇️

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

#FreePhamDoanTrang

Vietnam: On 5th anniversary of writer Pham Doan Trang’s arrest, PEN International joins coalition calling for her release — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression W...

6 October 2025: Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the detention of prominent Vietnamese journalist, writer and woman human rights defender Pham Doan Trang, an international coalition of non-government...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 3d

We stand with Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann in expressing deep concern for Irish poet Sarah Clancy and others detained from the Global Sumud Flotilla.

We call for their release and safe return home.

irishpen.com/2025/10/02/g...

Global Sumud Flotilla Statement - Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann

2 October August 2025 Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann is gravely concerned about the abduction of poet Sarah Clancy, one of several Irish citizens taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla was ...

irishpen.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6d

We stand with South African writers in denouncing the detention of writer Zukiswa Wanner and fellow Global Sumud Flotilla participants. We call for their immediate release and safe return home. pensouthafrica.co.za/statement-of...

Statement of Solidarity: Global Sumud Flotilla & Zukiswa Wanner | PEN South Africa

Statement of Solidarity: Global Sumud Flotilla & Zukiswa Wanner

pensouthafrica.co.za

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6d

Don’t miss this important discussion! PEN Malaysia, PEN Philippines, and PEN International are hosting a panel ahead of Myanmar’s December elections, exploring the links between the electoral process, violence & restrictions on free expression. Oct 5, 3–4 pm (MYT). meet.google.com/dbh-tngp-fnr

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6d

#Malaysia #Thailand: We join PEN Malaysia in expressing concern over the arrest of writer & journalist #MurrayHunter by the Thai police, reportedly at the behest of the Malaysian authorities. As ASEAN chair, Malaysia must reflect on the signal this sends. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

Australian says he was improperly arrested in Thailand over his criticism of Malaysia

An Australian man arrested in Thailand on a defamation charge he says originated with Malaysia's government claims he is a victim of transnational repression, in which Southeast Asia countries coopera...

abcnews.go.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6d

📚 PEN Recommends!

Our next recommendation under the theme "Words for Our Planet" is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

A timeless work that asks us to consider how we live together on a changing planet.

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6d

@yavuzekinci.bsky.social

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 6d

A verdict is expected on 6 October in the preposterous case against Yavuz Ekinci. He faces years in prison on terror propaganda grounds for his book Rüyası Bölünenler (Dream Divided). We urge #Türkiye to drop all charges and to uphold the freedom to create.
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...

Türkiye: Writer Yavuz Ekinci on trial again as spurious terror-propaganda case resumes — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘That Kurdish writer Yavuz Ekinci finds himself in court again for his writings after the case against him was dismissed exposes the authorities of Türkiye’s pernicious pursuit of those who dare explo...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 7d

We welcome the news that @pensweden.bsky.social has awarded the 2025 Tucholsky Prize to imprisoned author Phạm Đoan Trang.

This recognition shines an important light on her courage to overcome state censorship and her tireless fight for freedom of expression.

www.svenskapen.se/senaste-nytt...

Tucholskypriset 2025 tilldelas fängslade författaren Phạm Đoan Trang — Svenska PEN

Den fängslade vietnamesiska författaren Phạm Đoan Trang 2025 års Tucholskypris. Motiveringen lyder: Författaren och publicisten Phạm Đoan Trang tilldelas Tucholskypriset 2025 för sitt hängivna skrivan...

www.svenskapen.se

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 7d

At our 91st PEN International Congress, we gathered in Krakow as a global community of writers to exchange ideas and strengthen solidarity.

Watch back to see moments from inside the Assembly ⬇️

www.facebook.com/reel/6836280...

At our 91st PEN International Congress, we gathered in Kraków as a global community of writers to exchange ideas and strengthen solidarity. More than just an Annual General Meeting, Congress provide...

At our 91st PEN International Congress, we gathered in Kraków as a global community of writers to exchange ideas and strengthen solidarity. More than just an Annual General Meeting, Congress...

www.facebook.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 7d

#Serbia: We join partners in condemning the latest smear campaign against writers Marko Vidojković and Dinko Gruhonjić and journalist Ivan Ivanović.

The authorities must urgently ensure their safety and hold those responsible to account.

www.bezbedninovinari.rs/article/1251...

ANEM alarm: Opasno targetiranje novinara, aktivista i političara u publikaciji koja se deli po Beogradu

Asocijacija nezavisnih elektronskih medija (ANEM) ocenjuje kao zabrinjavajuće i opasno deljenje publikacije po beogradskim opštinama u kojima se targetiraju i iznose najgrublje uvrede prema novinarima...

www.bezbedninovinari.rs

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 7d

24 hours left to support our campaign and help protect persecuted writers.

In 2025, threats to writers are more urgent than ever. Across the globe, voices are being silenced, and your support today can offer the protection they desperately need.

www.justgiving.com/campaign/sum...

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