PEN America honored author Salman Rushdie, its former president, who accepted the PEN Centenary Courage Award in person, his first public appearance since he was severely wounded in a knife attack nine months ago. Rushdie, speaking to 700 guests at the American Museum of Natural History, said PEN America and its mission to protect free expression was never “more important” in a time of book bans and censorship and issued a call to action: “Terrorism must not terrorize us. Violence must not deter us. La lutte continue. La lutta continua. The struggle goes on.”
Highlights From the 2023 Awards and Ceremony
Highlights From the 2023 Red Carpet
Images from the 2023 Gala, courtesy of Getty Images, are available for your usage:
Arrivals / Dinner & Program / After Party
Video footage available HERE
2023 Honorees
 PEN/Audible Literary Service AwardCreator, writer and executive producer | | |
Master of ceremonies Colin JostCo-anchor, “Weekend Update” | ||
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| FEATURING |
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 Ayad AkhtarPlaywright, Novelist, and Screenwriter |  Jennifer Finney BoylanAuthor, Professor, and Columnist |  John MulaneyComedian and Writer |
Gala Committee Co-Chairs
Colette Bennett • Markus Dohle • Sean Kelly • Anya Salama
Gala Committee Members
Pamela and Peter Barbey • Kimberly Morgan Blank • Deirdre Finney Boylan and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Binta Niambi Brown • John Chao • Bridget Colman • Jennifer Copaken and Todd Yellin • Roxanne Donovan
Patricia Duff • Sheree and Jerry Friedman • Ashley Garrett and Alan Jones • Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Tom Healy and Fred P. Hochberg • Elizabeth Hemmerdinger • Tracy Higgins • Beth Hutchens • Zachary Karabell
Sandra Leong • Yvonne Marsh • Jay McInerney • Michael Pietsch • Keri and Marvin Putnam • Alix L.L. Ritchie
Andrew Solomon • Jamie Wolf
(in formation)
The annual PEN America Literary Gala is a highlight of the New York literary and social calendars, with over 700 guests and an exceptional group of leading writers who sit among them as Literary Hosts. Every year, it is an inspiring, exhilarating, moving event; as we honor those who embody PEN America’s mission to celebrate, champion and defend freedom of expression. The proceeds from this dinner are crucial to PEN America’s dynamic cultural programming and critical advocacy work.