Voices freed: International Solidarity in a Time of Global Disorder PEN International Case List 2026 launch

📣 Join us on Thursday, 23 April at 13:00 BST for Voices Freed: International Solidarity in a Time of Global Disorder, an online discussion marking the launch of the 2026 Case List.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voices-fre...

Italy: Roberto Saviano cleared of defaming Italian Deputy Prime Minister  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘PEN International welcomes the court’s verdict, as it reaffirms the vital role of free expression. However, the abusive lawsuit initiated by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister sent a chilling warning to w...

#Italy: Writer @robertosaviano.bsky.social has been cleared of defaming Matteo Salvini. While the court’s verdict reaffirms the vital importance of free expression, we must not forget the years spent fighting these baseless charges.
Read the statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/italy-r...

Winners announced for PEN Presents x SALT - English PEN

We’re thrilled to announce the winning titles for PEN Presents x SALT, an iteration of English PEN's ongoing #PENPresents award for sample translations in partnership with @saltatchicago.bsky.social.

Discover the winners and read the samples ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/w...

A Million Acts of Hope In May 2026, community and faith groups, plus charities big and small, will come together to celebrate and inspire A Million Acts of Hope across Britain. There is far more that connects us than divide...

We’re proud to be joining organisations, communities and individuals across the UK in celebrating and inspiring A Million Acts of Hope.

Find out more and get involved: millionactsofhope.org

#MillionActsOfHope @1mactsofhope.bsky.social

Judges announced and submissions open for the PEN Heaney Prize 2026 - News & Events - English PEN

Submissions are NOW OPEN for the PEN Heaney Prize 2026, in partnership with @irishpen.bsky.social and the Estate of Seamus Heaney. This year’s prize will be judged by poets Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Vona Groarke and Stephen Sexton.

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

Current translation grant opportunities - English PEN Our grants for translated literature support the movement of words and ideas across national and linguistic borders, championing bibliodiversity and reflecting the PEN Charter’s declaration that

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

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

The 2026 PEN Lecture with Max Porter - English PEN

Less than a month to go until 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...

Belarus: Immediately release all those still unjustly imprisoned   — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘PEN members around the world have actively campaigned for the release of Kaciaryna Andrejeva and Valeryja Kaściuhova. While we rejoice at their freedom, we vehemently condemn the Belarusian authoriti...

#Belarus: PEN members have actively campaigned for the release of Kaciaryna Andrejeva and Valeryja Kaściuhova. While we rejoice at their freedom, we condemn the authorities’ relentless campaign of repression. #FreeThemAll

Read the full statement ⬇️

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

March with us this Saturday. @togetheralliance.bsky.social

Today, 17 March, marks 15 years since human rights activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested during pro-democracy protests in #Bahrain & sentenced to life in prison. @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social & 17 NGOs call on authorities to #FreeAlSingace englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Belarus: PEN Belarus labelled ‘extremist’ amid systematic crackdown on cultural rights  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

#Belarus: We vehemently condemn the authorities’ decision to criminalise the activities of @penbelarus.bsky.social and scores of publishers amid an ever-growing crackdown on the cultural sector. #StandWithBelarus

Read our statement ⬇️

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

English PEN announces PEN Presents: Brazil shortlist - English PEN

In partnership with @britisharts.bsky.social, we’re thrilled to announce the shortlisted translators for PEN Presents: Brazil, an iteration of our ongoing #PENPresents award for sample translations.

Discover the full shortlist ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/e...

We’ve reached our final event of #LBF26! Sami Abu Wardeh, Bolu Babalola, Joelle Owusu and Zoey Dixon discuss Joy Against Despair: Publishing, Hope, and Entertainment Amid Rising Authoritarianism.

Now at English PEN at the Salon #LBF26: Kit Fan, Mary Glenn, Arabella Pike and @dnlgorman.bsky.social discuss publishing through a human rights lens.

I was honoured to chair this standing room only panel this morning -some really rich conversations and collaborations are emerging!

Join us now at #LBF26 for What We Lose if We Lose Small Presses: Independent Publishing, Risk and Survival, with Will Eaves, @rachelmayquin.bsky.social, Jack Thompson and @katiefr3.bsky.social.

Happening now at English PEN at the Salon #LBF26! Freedom to Read in the National Year of Reading, with Louis Coiffait-Gunn @cilip.bsky.social, @junodawson.bsky.social, Louisa Joyner @faberbooks.bsky.social and @alisonhicks0.bsky.social.

Our first session of #LBF26 is happening now with Selina Brown, @suchmayer.bsky.social, @nikeshshukla.bsky.social and Josie Dobrin discussing Power, Equity of Expression, and Rejecting Attacks on EDI.

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.

We’re at #LBF26 today for English PEN at the Salon, featuring five events exploring pressing free expression issues for the literary sector.

Explore our full programme below and join us if you’re around.
www.englishpen.org/posts/events...

Iran: PEN International calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities that undermine international peace and security law — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression... ‘ We are witnessing grave challenges to world peace and security, with political leaders utterly failing to uphold international law and actively dismantling the rules-based order. The international c...

#Iran: PEN International condemns all breaches of international law amid escalating hostilities across the Middle East and is gravely concerned by mounting civilian casualties in Iran and across the region.

Read our full statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-pe...

In the Unlimited Confines of My Creativity, I Was Free: Hannah Branston in Conversation with Ade Adedeji Hannah Branston and Ade Adedeji on art and activism.

'I was locked in my cell 23 hours a day, and I had no choice but to do what I loved. I wasn’t going to let the system take my creativity from me.'

Today in #PENTransmissions, Hannah Branston and Ade Adedeji on art and activism.

pentransmissions.com/2026/03/05/i...

Together Alliance Together is an alliance of hundreds of civil society organisations united against the far right.

We are proud to join the @togetheralliance.bsky.social, a coalition made up of hundreds of civil society organisations representing over 7 million people.

Join us in London on 28 March in the Artists against the Far Right bloc.

Sign-up for updates at togetheralliance.org.uk.

#Together

Vacancy: Trustees - English PEN

📣 We're looking for new Trustees!

English PEN is recruiting for three Trustees to support us in our mission to protect the freedom to write and the freedom to read around the world.

🗓️ Apply by 23 March 2026.

Read more and apply here ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...

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-...