Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 7d

Our translation grants – #PENTranslates, including PEN Translates x SALT, and #PENPresents: Brazil – are NOW OPEN for submissions!

Find out more, apply & share ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

Current translation grant opportunities - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 7d

Yesterday we attended the International Translation Day event hosted by @englishpen.bsky.social! The Translation (Against) AI panel discussion was a fascinating conversation exploring the ethics of artificial intelligence use for literary translation and the importance of protecting copyright 📖

Image of panel at International Translation Day event.

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So Mayer @suchmayer.bsky.social · 8d

Happy #ITD2025 to us all!! Don't miss tonight's essential conversations hosted by translation champions @englishpen.bsky.social at most conversational venue @conwayhall.bsky.social.

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 12d

There are still a few tickets left for our International Translation Day event next week! Book now & join us at @conwayhall.bsky.social for a 2-part conversation exploring pressing questions for the craft, business & ethics of translation. #ITD2025

Book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

ITD 2025 English PEN - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Elizabeth Briggs @elizabethlines.bsky.social · 9d

Honoured to join @englishpen.bsky.social to talk about translating in a hostile world, with Meera @roundtablebookscic.bsky.social, Nariman @poetrytranslation.bsky.social and others this week for #ITD2025

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 12d

'What if I could give words to this strange, unmoored sense of belonging – of belonging nowhere and also anywhere?'

In #PENTransmissions, Deepa Rajagopalan on creating space at the centre. In partnership with @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/26/t...

There Is Never One English

Deepa Rajagopalan on creating space at the centre.

pentransmissions.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 12d

There are still a few tickets left for our International Translation Day event next week! Book now & join us at @conwayhall.bsky.social for a 2-part conversation exploring pressing questions for the craft, business & ethics of translation. #ITD2025

Book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

ITD 2025 English PEN - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 15d

We're incredibly relieved that Alaa Abd el-Fattah has finally been released from prison. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Alaa and his family over these difficult years.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Laila Soueif, Alaa Abd el-Fattah and Sanaa Seif embrace at home, surrounded by friends, following Alaa's release from prison.

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 15d

We warmly welcome the news of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah's pardon. This is an important and positive development, and a huge relief for his family. We remain by their side and guided by them, and will share more once there is further clarity.
fairsq.org/alaa-abd-el-...

Alaa Abd el-Fattah pardoned

Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s pardon is a major step forward and a huge relief, FairSquare said today after his lawyer reported that the President had issued a pardon for the British-Egyptian national. FairSqu...

fairsq.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 19d

'I am finding with every artefact I encounter that the call of these women is only amplified by their absence.'

In #PENTransmissions, Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/19/m...

Missing Persons and Missed Connections

Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence.

pentransmissions.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 21d

#China: Today, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Human Rights Council, calling for the immediate release of his father, #HongKong writer and publisher Jimmy Lai, who he fears may die in prison.

See his statement here⬇️ #FreeJimmyLai

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

China-Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai’s son calls for his father’s release at United Nations Human Rights Council — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

17 September 2025 : Today at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on behalf of PEN International, calling on the Hong Kon...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 26d

#Belarus: We welcome the long-awaited release of several cultural figures, including @penbelarus.bsky.social member Uladzimir Mackievič.

All those still imprisoned on politically motivated grounds must be freed immediately.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Belarus frees 52 political prisoners, including foreigners, after visit by US delegation

Move seen as effort to win US favour and sanctions relief, as crackdown on dissent continues

www.theguardian.com

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So Mayer @suchmayer.bsky.social · 26d

"writing what you don’t know is made up of research, speculation, and imagination. I wrestled with the incomplete – and possibly inaccurate – facts presented in my poem." — Christine Wu.

I love this piece on writing into 'shadow histories' in complex families, using multiple ways of knowing.

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 26d

'These imaginaries float between fact and speculation, uncorroborated stories pieced together from bits and pieces that approximate and become a personal history.'

In #PENTransmissions, Christine Wu on reimagining family history. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/12/s...

Shadow Histories: Writing What You Don’t Know

Christine Wu on reimagining family history.

pentransmissions.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 26d

'These imaginaries float between fact and speculation, uncorroborated stories pieced together from bits and pieces that approximate and become a personal history.'

In #PENTransmissions, Christine Wu on reimagining family history. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/12/s...

Shadow Histories: Writing What You Don’t Know

Christine Wu on reimagining family history.

pentransmissions.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 27d

We’re delighted that English PEN & @writerscentre.bsky.social are collaborating again this year to highlight and promote events and activities taking place across the UK and online in celebration of International Translation Day 2025. #ITD2025

View the programme ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

ITD 2025 – Nationwide Programme - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia) @mailbykite.bsky.social · Sep 5

Thrilled that half of the winning entries are for Southeast Asian translators, still woefully underrepresented in English lit in translation (Indonesia alone has over 700 languages).

Huge congrats to all, including @tiffanytsao.bsky.social, Pauline Fan, and Christian Jil R. Benitez.

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 5

We’re thrilled to announce the winning titles for the inaugural round of #PENPresents x International Booker Prize, an edition of the English PEN award for sample translations, launched with the @thebookerprizes.com to support translators from the Global Majority.
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/i...

Inaugural winners announced for PEN Presents x International Booker Prize - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · Sep 5

John Bengan, Tiffany Tsao and Anam Zafar are among the winners of the inaugural PEN Presents x International Booker Prize 👇 #BookSky

Tiffany Tsao and John Bengan among winners of inaugural PEN Presents x International Booker Prize

www.thebookseller.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 5

We’re thrilled to announce the winning titles for the inaugural round of #PENPresents x International Booker Prize, an edition of the English PEN award for sample translations, launched with the @thebookerprizes.com to support translators from the Global Majority.
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/i...

Inaugural winners announced for PEN Presents x International Booker Prize - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Translating Women @translatingwomen.bsky.social · Aug 29

Can't even begin with what a box of LA LUCHA: LATIN AMERICAN FEMINISM TODAY means. From a pre-pandemic lunch with @charcopress.com to a just-announced @englishpen.bsky.social award, it's been amazing to work on this outstanding collection from 30 brilliant women writers & their talented translators.

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 1

Join our #PENWrites campaign in solidarity with writers in prison and at risk, and send a message of hope this #WorldLetterWritingDay.
www.englishpen.org/campaigns/pe...

Join the PENWrites campaign

Take part in PENWrites – English PEN's letter writing campaign, inviting you to celebrate and support writers of courage by sending letters of solidarity to them and their families

www.englishpen.org

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · Aug 27

For #WomenInTranslationMonth, we spoke to Deepa Bhasthi, translator and winner of this year’s International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq. She discusses her translation process and what it’s like being a writer in multilingual societies like India. pen.org/deepa-bhasth...

Language as Culture, History, and Stories: Deepa Bhasthi on the Heart of Translation - PEN America

In an interview with PEN America, writer and translator Deepa Bhasthi shares what translation means in a multilingual society like India.

pen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Aug 26

There's still time to submit to the PEN Heaney Prize 2025! The Prize, with @irishpen.bsky.social & the Estate of Seamus Heaney, celebrates poetry that engages with the impact of cultural or political events on human conditions or relationships.

Closing 31 Aug ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/j...

Judges announced for the PEN Heaney Prize 2025 - News & Events - English PEN

Submissions are now open for the PEN Heaney Prize 2025, judged by poets Sasha Dugdale, Seán Hewitt and Zaffar Kunial

www.englishpen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Aug 26

'There was no Kurdish issue; there was a terrorism issue. A place called Kurdistan had never existed.’

Today in #PENTransmissions, Nurcan Baysal on Kurdish language, culture and identity. Translated by Nazım Dikbas.
pentransmissions.com/2025/08/26/k...

Kurdishness: A Matter of Existence and Non-Existence

Nurcan Baysal on Kurdish language, culture and identity. Translated by Nazım Dikbas.

pentransmissions.com

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Poetry Translation Centre @poetrytranslation.bsky.social · Aug 25

Don't miss this fantastic event on Sudanese literature if you're in Sheffield this Wednesday!

Featuring incredible readings and discussions, including by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi, author of the PTC poetry collection 'A Friend's Kitchen' (tr. Bryar Bajalan + Shook)!

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Aug 1

Join us at 6.30pm, 27 Aug, in partnership with @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social Sheffield, for an evening of readings and discussion with @yassmin.bsky.social, Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi, Salma Ali, Adil Babikir & @mayadamayadamay.bsky.social.

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

An Evening of Sudanese Literature - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Aug 21

📣 Publishers, orgs, bookshops, festivals, institutions, & collectives can apply for their International Translation Day events to be featured in this year's Nationwide programme with @writerscentre.bsky.social. #ITD2025

Apply & join us ⬇️⬇️ (deadline 28 Aug)
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

International Translation Day - English PEN

Every year on the 30th September, English PEN holds events in celebration of International Translation Day, alongside a nationwide programme delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writi...

www.englishpen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Aug 18

'The children look too. There is no point in hiding anything from us anymore. When I see the photo from the morgue, the wild animal inside me howls.'

In #PENTransmissions, Magdalena Blažević on the massacre of Kiseljak.
pentransmissions.com/2025/08/15/t...

The Wolf No Longer Lives in the Dark Hallway

Magdalena Blažević on the massacre of Kiseljak.

pentransmissions.com

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