PEN America Condemns Unjust Jailing of Memorial Co-Chair for Article Criticizing Russia’s Military
Prominent human rights defender Oleg Orlov, co-chair of Memorial, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate found guilty on charges of “repeatedly discrediting” the Russian military and sentenced to 2.5… More
Russia Places Best-Selling Novelist Boris Akunin on its Wanted List
(NEW YORK) -- PEN America condemns the Russian government for placing London-based Grigory Chkhartishvili, better known under his pen name Boris Akunin, on its wanted list for alleged criminal… More
Following Russian Journalist Elena Kostyuchenko’s Account of Being Poisoned in Germany, PEN America Raises Concern About Transnational Attacks
“The apparent poisoning of journalist Elena Kostyuchenko is a threat against anyone writing and speaking truthfully—from anywhere—about the Russian government,” said Polina Sadovskaya, PEN America’s Eurasia and advocacy director.… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of July 24
PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out. PEN America hosted… More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Prize-Winning Ukrainian Author and PEN-Ukraine Member Victoria Amelina
Polina Sadovskaya, Eurasia director at PEN America, said: “Victoria Amelina was a celebrated Ukrainian author who turned her distinct and powerful voice to investigate and expose war crimes after… More
PEN America: “Regrettable” that Elizabeth Gilbert Delayed Publication of New Novel Set in Russia
"It is regrettable that Elizabeth Gilbert felt it necessary to delay the publication of a novel set in Russia. Ukrainians have suffered immeasurably, and Gilbert's decision in the face of online… More
Russian Independent Media Archive Preserves More Than Two Decades of History
The new Russian Independent Media Archive is working to recover and offer safekeeping for the work of 70-plus Russian news outlets. More
PEN America delegation to Ukraine bears witness to bravery of writers and citizens
A delegation from PEN America that included prominent writers Barbara Demick, Dave Eggers, and Peter Godwin visited Kyiv and witnessed the resilience of Ukrainian artists and writers. More
PEN America Condemns State-Sponsored Execution of Ukrainian Orchestra Conductor for Reportedly Refusing Concert in Russian-Occupied City of Kherson
Ukrainian and international artists and writers were swift in their condemnation of Kerpatenko’s murder: “The history of Russia imposing a ‘comply or die’ policy against artists is nothing new.… More
New Financial Help to Sustain Ukraine Artists, as War Tears Apart Their Creative Practice
Julie Trebault, ARC director, said: “The war in Ukraine has torn apart the lives of Ukrainians, including many artists, who, despite the brutality, have lent their talent and courage… More