#Iran: PEN International condemns all breaches of international law amid escalating hostilities across the Middle East and is gravely concerned by mounting civilian casualties in Iran and across the region.
Read our full statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-pe...
Established at our 48th Congress in 1986, World Writers’ Day honours the courage to write and the solidarity that protects it.
As writers face imprisonment, exile, censorship, and violence for speaking the truth, we stand with them and defend freedom of expression.
Graphic from PEN International with a black and red background and the PEN International logo at the top left. Large white text on a red banner reads “WE’RE HIRING” with “Fundraising Officer” displayed below in a search bar style. A red button says “APPLY NOW.” At the bottom, smaller text reads: “Apply by sending your CV (max 2 pages) and a brief cover letter (max 1 page) to HR@pen-international.org .
We’re hiring a Fundraising Officer 🌍✍️
This is a part-time (3 days/week), remote role within our Development team, ideal for someone with UK charity fundraising experience who wants to make a real international impact.
More details: www.pen-international.org/join-our-team
‘Cereyanlar’ kitabı, yıllar süren bu derslerin ve yakından tanık olduğum yoğun emeğin bir ürünü olarak doğdu. Tanıl Bora çok zor bir işe girişti ve tamamladı. 🔻
www.diken.com.tr/tanil-bora-v...
Join @penamerica.bsky.social for an authors delegation in Minneapolis on Fri. & Sat. Feb. 27-28 that will center the essential role of writers in times of upheaval. Speakers will include Padma Lakshmi, Kao Kalia Yang, Victoria Blanco, Dinaw Mengestu, and Burhan Sönmez. pen.org/press-releas...
Burhan Sönmez, now the president of @peninternational.bsky.social, was a rising human rights lawyer in Turkey. A brutal assault nearly killed him – and propelled him to a life in literature. New essay for @psyche.co: psyche.co/portraits/bu... @burhansonmez.bsky.social
"The Competition of Unfinished Stories"
by Sener Ozmen
worldliteraturetoday.org/2026/march/c...
Voices Without Borders:
Dinaw Mengestu, Burhan Sönmez, Kao Kalia Yang, Jonas Attilus, Hawra Alnabi -
Friday, February 27, 2026
6:00 PM CT
East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier Street Saint Paul, MN 55106.
pen.org/event/voices...
Written by the the European Press Prize laureate Kaya Genç, this carefully told Psyche Portrait of the Kurdish novelist Burhan Sönmez traces his journey from despair to purpose in the wake of political violence, capturing his extraordinary drive and intellect @kayagenc.bsky.social
Bread, Borders & Belongings:
Dinaw Mengestu, Burhan Sönmez, Padma Lakshmi, Victoria Blanco, Ollie Schminkey, Monica Rojas
Saturday, February 28, 2026
6:00 PM CT
Open Book
1011 Washington Avenue South Minneapolis
pen.org/event/bread-...
Join the East Side Freedom Library & @penamerica.bsky.social on Friday, February 27th for ‘Voices Without Borders,’ featuring authors Dinaw Mengestu, Burhan Sönmez, & Kao Kalia Yang in a conversation about the role of writers & the power of solidarity: eastsidefreedomlibrary.org/event/panel-...
Friday, February 27th: Join authors Dinaw Mengestu, Burhan Sönmez, and @kaokaliayang.bsky.social for a Voices Without Borders panel followed by readings from Jonas Attilus and Hawra Alnabi.
Saturday, February 28th, Dinaw and Burhan return for an intimate Writers' Workshop.
#Türkiye: PEN International Board Member Ege Dündar speaks with Die Zeit on the arrest of DW correspondent Alican Uludağ and the authorities’ weaponization of the justice system to silence independent views. Interview conducted in German language. @ege-dundar.bsky.social www.zeit.de/politik/2026...
Today’s poem from @pen-tlrc.bsky.social, Waytson sho'war – La eterna realidad, read by Keyuk Yantén. After 10,000 years in Tierra del Fuego, the Selk'nam were nearly exterminated. Today, a small group led by Yantén is revitalising the language.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXI9...
Join me and congresswoman Sarah McBride at the Philadelphia free library on March 11, 2026, at 7 PM. We will talk about my book. CLEAVAGE, as well as cleavages within this country.
Admission is free, but you have to register. Which you can do below.
Sandra Cisneros & @judythhill.bsky.social talk book banning on Tue for San Miguel PEN. Sandra’s novel, The House on Mango Street, is widely banned; poet Judyth is @peninternational.bsky.social Women Writers Committee Chair. In San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Info & Tickets: sanmiguelpen.com
New piece in @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social on a cheerful collection of Turkish erotica that offers insights into early 20th-century sexuality in Istanbul lareviewofbooks.org/article/ista...
as if darkness were indeed the proper element of our essences, though light be more congenial to our clayey part
@burhansonmez.bsky.social, President of @peninternational.bsky.social is a Kurdish-born writer and former human rights lawyer.
Now based between England & Istanbul, his sixth novel, Lovers of Franz K., is a Cold War tale of love, revenge & Kafka, and it's out now!
Translated by Semi Hezil
We are thrilled to announce that today, the Board of Trustees of PEN America named two proven leaders and champions of free expression and literature, Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, as our co-Chief Executive Officers. pen.org/press-releas...
We’ve opened applications for two short residencies for writers in the UK who are currently experiencing displacement.
Find out more and apply ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/not-ra...
I shall let it abide here till the White Whale is dead
all of us are Ahabs
Yazarımız Gaye Boralıoğlu, 31 Ocak Cumartesi günü saat 15.00'te, Robinson Crusoe 389 Kitabevi'nde Eylül Görmüş'ün moderatörlüğünde okurlarıyla buluşup, kitaplarını imzalayacak.
Guterres called Kurds “victims of history” at the UN but sidestepped a direct question on their right to self-determination , citing Syrian priorities and differing regional contexts. Full story:
www.theamargi.com/posts/un-sec...
Announcing a paperback tour for CLEAVAGE: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us.
February 18 in New York with Ali Velshi
March 11 in Philly with Congresswoman Sarah McBride
And April 14 with Jodi Picoult in Portsmouth, NH.
Come check out my CLEAVAGE!
Acclaimed author @jenniferclement.bsky.social presents & reads from her recent memoir, The Promised Party: Kahlo, Basquiat and Me! What was it like to be young, free & alive in 2 of the world’s most fabulous cities: ‘70s Mexico City and ‘80s New York? Tickets: www.simpletix.com/e/san-miguel...
I survived myself; my death and burial were locked up in my chest.
