The PEN Literary Gala is a uniquely moving black-tie event featuring distinguished American and international writers who host more than 500 guests in support of PEN’s work to secure the liberty of imprisoned writers of conscience worldwide, defend freedom of expression wherever it is threatened, and promote literature and international cultural exchange. The Gala is held in conjunction with the week-long PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature and this year will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding. At the 2014 Gala Sir Salman Rushdie, former PEN President and founder and chair of PEN World Voices, will be presented with the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award for his extraordinary artistic achievement and devotion to the struggle for freedom of expression worldwide . He will be introduced by Toni Morrison. Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter, will receive the inaugural PEN Digital Freedom Award for bringing new forms of expression to hundreds of millions worldwide. The PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award will be conferred on an imprisoned writer who faces an immediate threat. A remarkable 35 out of the past 38 recipients of this award have gained their freedom due in part to the publicity generated by this award.
