Sydney Writers' Festival PEN event - 20 May 2011
Sydney PEN’s annual event at the Sydney Writers' Festival this year will highlight the plight and voice of 2010 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, the Chinese author Liu Xiaobo.
Liu Xiaobo was imprisoned in December 2009 for his involvement in the writing and promulgation of Charter 08, a document calling for multiparty democracy in China.
At the presentation ceremony of the Nobel Prize in December 2010, Thorbjørn Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said:
“We regret that the Laureate is not present here today. He is in isolation in a prison in north-east China. Nor can the Laureate’s wife, Liu Xia, or his closest relatives be here with us. No medal or diploma will therefore be presented here today. This fact alone shows that the award was necessary and appropriate.”
At that ceremony, actress Liv Ullman read the statement “I Have No Enemies” which Liu attempted to deliver following his sentence in 2009. He was stopped after a few minutes.
In our event, Sydney actor William Zappa will honour the voice of Liu Xiaobo and present this same statement. This will be followed by a speech by Frank Moorhouse, author and human rights supporter. The event will be chaired by Professor Michael Fraser, president of Sydney PEN.
Event details: Friday 20 May 4-5.30 pm Sydney Philharmonia Choir Studio Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. More details here: Link Text