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The PEN Ten: An Interview with Arnold Lehman
“I do believe that American museums continue to present exhibitions and programs that approach and challenge the status quo.” More
PEN America Issues Urgent Call to Release Hunger Striking Cuban Artist
PEN America and PEN International today issued their pressing concern over the health of imprisoned Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. More
PEN America Literary Gala Makes Energizing In-Person Return, Celebrating Bold Voices in Literature, Journalism, and Free Expression
Literary New York stood resurrected last night after an 18-month pause at PEN America’s 2021 Literary Gala, an evening celebrating luminaries who lend their voices to clarion calls for… More
Ayad Akhtar’s Remarks at the 2021 PEN America Literary Gala
“Reading, of course, is an individual act, but a culture that fosters reading and one that supports writers, invariably compels us to presence, to protest, to celebration.” More
PEN America Decries Cancellation of Scholar’s Lecture at MIT
An upcoming talk by University of Chicago professor Dorian Abbot has reportedly been cancelled by the chair of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences department. More
An Update from PEN America Los Angeles
Michelle Franke will be stepping down from her role on October 8 to become Executive Director of Humanitas, a nonprofit based in Los Angeles. More
Potential Criminal Charges Against Wyoming Librarians “Astounding Overreach”
PEN America today decries mere suggestion of prosecuting librarians for books stocked in a Wyoming community library. More
Imprisoned Cuban Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Begins Hunger Strike
Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who has been incarcerated in a high-security prison since July, began a hunger strike this week in protest of his imprisonment and ongoing… More
PEN America to Honor Two California Health Professionals for Standing for Truth Amid COVID Disinformation
PEN America today announces Santa Cruz County Health Services Director Mimi Khin Hall and Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel as recipients of the 2021 PEN/Benenson Courage Award More
Russia Labels Mediazona as ‘Foreign Agent’ in Ongoing Crackdown
The Russian justice ministry this week designated the independent investigative news outlet Mediazona and its editor-in-chief, Sergei Smirnov, as “foreign agents.” More