Ayad Akhtar’s Remarks at the 2022 PEN America Literary Gala
"Yes, speaking is at the root of it all, but we cannot only be speakers. We must be those listening, as well." More
2022 PEN America Literary Gala
Monday, May 23, 2022 American Museum of Natural History The Rose Center for Earth and Space, W81st St. (Gala Entrance) 6 pm: VIP Reception | 6:30pm: Cocktail Reception | 7:30pm: Dinner &… 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
2021 PEN America Corporate Honoree: Robert A. Iger
Robert A. Iger, executive chairman, chairman of the board of directors, and former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, is the 2021 PEN America Corporate Honoree. More
2021 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award: Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Henry Louis Gates Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center at Harvard University, is the 2021 PEN/Audible Literary Service Awardee. More
2020 PEN/Benenson Freedom of Expression Courage Award: Marie Yovanovitch
Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch is the 2020 PEN/Benenson Freedom of Expression Courage Award honoree. More
2020 PEN America Corporate Honoree: Frank A. Bennack Jr.
Frank A. Bennack Jr., executive vice chairman of Hearst, is the 2020 PEN America Corporate Honoree. More
2020 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award: Patti Smith
Writer, performer, and visual artist Patti Smith is the 2020 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award honoree. More
“His freedom guarantees mine”: J. K. Rowling at the 2016 PEN Literary Gala
My critics are at liberty to claim that I’m trying to convert children to Satanism., and I’m free to explain that I’m exploring human nature and morality, or to… More
2016 Gala Sponsors
A special thanks to the most generous supporters of the 2016 PEN Literary Gala: Leadership Peter & Pamela Barbey • Bridget Colman • Cathy B. Graham • The Seedlings Foundation… More