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Free Expression in Ukraine

The Issue

The large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022 — and is part of the larger campaign that began in 2014 with the illegal annexation of Crimea and support to pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region — represents an assault on free expression, human rights, and democracy in the country, and poses an imminent threat to the country’s writers, artists, and cultural heritage. PEN America has long partnered with PEN Ukraine to support its role as a leading voice for free expression and a home for Ukraine’s literary community. Today we stand in solidarity with our PEN colleagues and all the writers, artists, and people of Ukraine as they seek to defend their rights and their democracy. 

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Read Our Report: Ukrainian Culture Under Attack

The new report on cultural erasure details how Russian forces have destroyed or damaged not only national cultural buildings including historic and religious sites but also many smaller community sanctuaries in towns and villages where people meet to enjoy art, music, writing, and other forms of culture. The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Information Policy said on November 17 that 529 cultural heritage and cultural institutions have been damaged or destroyed since the Feb. 24, 2022 invasion.

READ THE FULL REPORT

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Emergency and Resilience Funds for Ukrainian Visual Artists

PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) has launched a special call for applications for emergency assistance and resilience assistance to Ukrainian visual artists affected by the ongoing war. The emergency grant applies to artists who have an urgent need for emergency funding to cover basic living expenses, while the resilience grant is intended for those whose personal and security situations enable them to continue their work, but who require financial assistance in order to do so. Learn more and apply >>

Latest News

War is Always a Danger for Journalists. This Time is No Different. But Press Freedom Itself is Under Siege, Too.

March 17, 2022
The war in Ukraine is putting a heavy burden on the journalists reporting on the ground, who are risking their lives to expose the truth. But this war–also a war of information marked by the Kremlin’s elaborate disinformation campaigns–is generating more than one threat to journalism and press freedom. War reporting always involves risk, and […]

How to Prevent the Spread of Disinformation About Russia’s War on Ukraine: A Tip Sheet

March 16, 2022
How can students mobilize and respond to book bans? This guide will help you fight back against book bans and build a stronger community of readers and advocates in the process.

Shutdown of Independent Media Leaves Kremlin in Control of War Message at Home

March 3, 2022
“The years-long effort by the Kremlin to replace facts with propaganda, deny its citizens access to truthful information, and repress critiques and organized opposition is culminating with this sweeping, systematic attack on the remaining vestiges of independent media in the country,” said Nadine Farid Johnson, Washington Director at PEN America.
More from PEN Ukraine >>

Emergency Fund for Ukrainian Visual Artists

PEN America’s ARC program has launched a special call for applications for emergency assistance to Ukrainian artists in danger, through an emergency fund created with the support of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts.

This first emergency grant is open to Ukrainian visual artists, including painters, sculptors, filmmakers, photographers, cartoonists, performers, graphic designers, and others.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY