Cuban poet Maria Cristina Garrido Rodriguez

Cuban poet Maria Cristina Garrido Rodriguez

To mark International Women’s Day 2023, PEN International and PEN Sydney are featuring the case of Cuban poet and activist María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez, imprisoned since July 2021 for her criticism of the Cuban government, and for participating in the...
Iranian writers Arash Ganji and Khandan Mahabadi released

Iranian writers Arash Ganji and Khandan Mahabadi released

Today PEN International, PEN Sydney, PEN America and 34 other Centers in the PEN literary and free expression network released a joint statement, celebrating the release of writers Arash Ganji and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, and calling on authorities to end their...
Media censorship in Türkiye earthquake zone

Media censorship in Türkiye earthquake zone

In the hands of bad actors—whether public or private—generative AI tools can supercharge existing threats to free expression. In this statement signed by PEN Sydney and other PEN Centres we call on the government of Türkiye to uphold freedom of expression and access...
A poet contemplates his release from prison

A poet contemplates his release from prison

İlhan Sami Çomak was a wide-eyed university student from a Kurdish village when 29 years ago he was detained in Istanbul by Turkish authorities.  He has been in prison ever since.  There he became a poet, penning deep and beautiful words about his confinement and his...
Some positive news from PEN International

Some positive news from PEN International

In September, Burmese poet Maung Yu Py was released following his detention in March 2021. We continue to call for the immediate release of all those detained for their peaceful expression in Myanmar. In June, the lawsuit against the Peruvian author, Christopher...
LOVERS OF WRITING: VOLUNTEER AT SYDNEY WRITERS FESTIVAL

LOVERS OF WRITING: VOLUNTEER AT SYDNEY WRITERS FESTIVAL

If you love the SWF and have time, why not volunteer for SWF? A long term partner of PEN Sydney – providing us with support to deliver one of our key Free Voices lectures each year, along with presenting so many other great things. Hurry! Applications due 5...
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