Join us for the PEN World Voices Festival!!

Schedule of Events:

Wednesday April 30, 2025

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Disappearing Acts: Censorship in american Theater

Since theater emerged as an art form it has been a battleground for free expression. In today's climate, the pressure to censor is stronger than ever-whether through rewriting history to erase conversation on racial inequities,or the rising tide of book bans targeting discussions of sexuality and identity. Across the U.S., theater producers and schools are facing mounting pressure to cancel, rewrite, or silence bold artistic voices.

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage as she moderates an eye-opening conversation with Carlyle Brown (Down in Mississippi), Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project), and Lisa Kron (Fun Home), all award-winning playwrights who have personally faced attempts to censor their works.

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: The Winds of History - Bernhard Schlink and Claire Messud

The convulsions of the twentieth century can be traced through the trajectory of individual lives scattered across the globe. In Bernhard Schlink's The Granddaughter and Claire Messud's This Strange Eventful History, the repercussions of the schisms of the Berlin Wall and Algerian Revolution are felt generations later as far away as Australia. How do characters reconcile with their families' hidden histories? How do they unearth long-buried secrets and what does it mean to reconcile with a past that feels both distant and immediate? Join Bernhard Schlink, Claire Messud, and moderator Sam Sacks of the Wall Street Journal, for a captivating conversation exploring how fiction illuminates the long shadows of history.

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: The Past and Future of Jamaican Literature

Jamaican literature is as vibrant and rich as the island's history. Join award winning Jamaican authors, Olive Senior (Paradise Once) and Marcia Douglas (The Jamaica Kollection of the Shante Dream Arkive) for a fireside chat exploring their latest works and the past and future of Jamaican literature. In Paradise Once, former Jamaican Poet Laureate Olive Senior, delves into the aftermath of a fictional massacre of the indigenous Taíno people by colonizing Spanish forces. In Marcia Douglas' The Jamaica Kollection of the Shante Dream Arkive her characters search through history for something or someone lost to the island. In this intimate conversation, these acclaimed authors will discuss how their works fit into the storied canon of Jamaican literature.

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Opening Night: The PEN and the State: The Role of Novelists in Times of Crisis

As the current U.S. presidential administration marks its 100th day, the landscape of free expression faces unprecedented challenges. Book bans are on the rise, college campuses are canceling events for fear of political reprisal, and the right to protest is increasingly under threat. Simultaneously, authoritarian regimes are gaining ground worldwide, eroding the foundations of liberal democracy. In this critical moment, PEN america brings together three of today's most acclaimed novelists - Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche (Dream Count), Jennifer Egan (The Candy House), and Burhan Sönmez (Lovers of Franz K.)-for an urgent conversation on the role of novelists in times of political turmoil. Novelists do not merely reflect the world in their works, but they shape and expand a reader's understanding of it. Does a writer have a responsibility to respond to the political climate around them? Are they only beholden to their craft, aesthetic, and own political concerns? Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking evening as these literary giants explore the intersection of art and activism, and what it means to be a novelist in an age of political crisis in a conversation moderated by PEN america interim Co-CEO and Chief Program Officer of Literary Programming, Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf.

Thursday May 1, 2025

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Through Her Eyes: Exploring Gender Discrimination in Fiction

For centuries, women's contributions have been sidelined, miscredited, or outright erased from history. What about the iconic works we celebrate today-were they truly created by the names we know, or were women's contributions hidden behind the masks of male figures? Stories like that of Rosalind Franklin, the women of Hidden Figures, and Zelda Fitzgerald reveal how often women's achievements have been misappropriated, their hard-earned credit handed to men who stood beside or in front of them.

Join bestselling authors Jodi Picoult (By Any Other Name) and Fiona Davis (The Stolen Queen), as they explore these overlooked narratives in a discussion moderated by bestselling author Adriana Trigiani (The Good Left Undone). From the true authorship of Shakespeare's works to the lost contributions of ancient Egyptian female pharaohs and modern-day female archaeologists, this discussion will look at the long history of gendered barriers across industries, challenging us to imagine a future where women's work is rightfully acknowledged and celebrated.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm: ArtLords Public Mural (Day 1)

ArtLords, together with Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) and the vibrant community of New York City, will ignite the PEN World Voices Festival with an electrifying live mural creation event. This groundbreaking artistic endeavor is poised to magnify the transformative power of art in championing social change, advocating for freedom of expression, and fortifying cultural resilience.

The mural will be a canvas of solidarity, embodying the resilient spirit of artists who defy adversity to express their truth. It will intricately interlace narratives of struggle and victory from across the globe, paying homage to those navigating conflict zones or enduring oppressive censorship.

In an inclusive gesture, the community at large is warmly invited to contribute to this monumental canvas of freedom and unity-art materials will be readily provided. Come, join us in painting a vibrant testament to the indomitable spirit of artistic freedom and collective solidarity.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm: House of SpeakEasy Bookmobile

Join House of SpeakEasy on the North-West end of Union Square Park to visit their Bookmobile! Launched in 2017, The SpeakEasy Bookmobile is a direct response to the proliferation of "book deserts," neighborhoods where bookstores are in short supply-or worse, nonexistent. The modified box truck is outfitted with 54 linear feet of shelving that accommodate a variety of books for all ages. House of SpeakEasy believes that book ownership should be a right, not a privilege. In partnership with the PEN america World Voices Festival, the SpeakEasy Bookmobile will deliver books and book culture to our audience members, ensuring that books can be made available to all readers.

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Transmediation: Visualizing Verse

When poetry meets visual art, the result is a stunning cross-medium experience. During the pandemic, author, philosopher, publisher and translator Michael Eskin hosted a virtual weekly poetry hour. Globally renowned visual artist, designer, and illustrator Raanan Gabriel created visual interpretations of the poems from these convenings, reinterpreting the aesthetics and themes of the poems through illustration.  

Join poets Michael Eskin (The Emprise of Poetry), Forrest Gander (Mojave Ghost) Moira Egan (Synæsthesium: Poems), and artist Raanan Gabriel as the author and poets respond to Ranaan's striking artistic reimagining of their work. This event will blend poetry, animation and live discussion to create an unforgettable dialogue that transforms how we read, see, and understand poetry across forms.

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Deep End: An Evening with Ali Hazelwood

Join New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood (Deep End) and author Katie Holt (Not in My Book) for an exciting conversation about Hazelwood's sizzling new romance, Deep End. Set against the backdrop of Olympic dreams, Deep End follows a competitive diver and an ace swimmer as their chemistry heats up in the pool and beyond.

In this lively discussion, Hazelwood and Holt will explore how the romance genre empowers women, promoting bodily autonomy and challenging the stigmatization of women's pleasure. Don't miss this chance to dive deep into the world of romance and athletics!

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Bringing Back Books They Love

While much is discussed about the process of writing, a book's release, and its critical reception, one part of a book's journey often flies under the radar: the re-issue. The moment a beloved title is reintroduced to readers, complete with a fresh cover, updated blurbs, and a new life.

Join Joyce Carol Oates (Broke Heart Blues) and Carmen Boullosa (Texas: The Great Theft), and moderator Sabir Sultan, for an insightful conversation about revisiting their works in a world vastly different from when they were first released. What drew them to revisit these titles now, what do they love about the books and how do their evolving interests as writers shape their view of these works today?

Explore the re-issue process as a unique chapter in a book's life, and discover how these beloved works continue to resonate today.

Friday May 2, 2025

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Page to Screen: Book to Film Adaptations with Sigrid Nunez and André Aciman

When novels hit the big screen, an author's words leap off the page-and sometimes take unexpected turns. But what happens when a beloved story is transformed into a film? Join award-winning cultural critic Soraya Nadia McDonald for a fascinating conversation with authors Sigrid Nunez (The Friend) and André Aciman (Call Me by Your Name) as they discuss their experiences with film adaptations.

Nunez's The Friend is set to become a 2025 movie starring Naomi Watts, Constance Wu, and Bill Murray, while Aciman's Call Me by Your Name was brought to life in 2017 with Timothée Chalamet. The authors will share their thoughts on how their characters and stories evolved for the screen, the surprises they encountered, and what it's like seeing their work reimagined for new audiences.

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Seen, Heard, and Believed? Exploring Women's Experiences in Healthcare

In healthcare, being a patient is different from truly receiving care. How a patient is seen, heard, and believed by their provider can be just as impactful to their health outcomes as the treatment itself. Join Tanya Selvaratnam, journalist and moderator, for a compelling conversation with authors Samina Ali (Pieces You'll Never Get Back) and Ariel Gore (Rehearsals for Dying) as they share their personal, eye-opening experiences with the healthcare system. Samina Ali's memoir details her battle with a life-changing neurological disorder, a traumatic birth, and her unlikely recovery. Ariel Gore's memoir reflects on her wife's struggle with metastatic breast cancer and the untold realities of being a caregiver. This conversation will dive into the challenges women face when receiving healthcare.

6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: The Wages of Immigration

What are the personal costs an immigrant must pay when leaving one land for another? And how are the scales weighted differently depending on social class and background? Three incisive recent novels-Weike Wang's "Rental House," Javier Fuentes' "Countries of Origin," and Dinaw Mengestu's "Someone Like Us"-consider the immigrant experience from a variety of angles, and in vastly different locales, with an eye to its inherent disparities and pitfalls.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Translation Slam

The Translation Slam puts different translations of the same text side by side and invites the translators, authors, and audience members to join in a lively critical debate of how each version meets its creative challenges. A new text, previously untranslated into English, will be provided by German author Daniel Kehlmann (The Director). Translating Kehlmann's work from German will be translator Geoffrey C. Howes and a second translator. A translation of Kehlmann's work will also be provided by ChatGPT. Translations will vie for audience approval and the event will end with a brief QandA. Hosting the Slam will be PEN america Translation Committee member, Annelise Finegan.

7:00 pm - 8:15 pm: After The Fall: Post-Apocalyptic Novels

Raptures and apocalypses have preoccupied our attention and imagination throughout the long arc of human history. But what happens after? In an age where the apocalyptic feels like the new normal, it is the post-apocalyptic that has captivated a new era of writers as a tool for expressing the anxieties and injustices endemic to our time.

Join Uruguayan author Fernanda Trias (Pink Slime), Catalan author Pol Guasch (Napalm in the Heart), and american author Jeff VanderMeer (Absolution) for a discussion of their new post-apocalyptic novels moderated by historian and journalist Ilia Veniavkin. This  wide-ranging, international conversation will explore the ways post-apocalyptic landscapes lay bare societal hierarchies, raise climate concerns, and both reflect and respond to the tribulations of contemporary life. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion of our future in the ruins.

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: DREaming Out Loud (virtual)

From Mexico to Nigeria, Kazakhstan to Honduras, Brazil to Jamaica, South Africa to Bangladesh, and beyond, our DREamers will share stories of journeys toward hope, healing, and joy from around the world. They come together as students from DREaming Out Loud, PEN america's series of tuition-free writing workshops for emerging immigrant writers in the U.S., founded by the award-winning Mexican novelist Álvaro Enrigue in 2016. Join us virtually to celebrate our newest generation of DREamers as they give voice to new writing inspired by this extraordinary year.

DREaming Out Loud is supported by public funds from the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), and is presented in collaboration with the Mexican Studies Institute at the City University of New York (CUNY).

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: The Art of Exile: A Screening and Conversation

Join us for a screening of the short documentary film The Art of Exile, co-presented by Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) and City of Asylum, and a conversation featuring Sudanese activist and writer Rania Mamoun (Something Evergreen Called Life), Algerian novelist and human rights defender Anouar Rahmani, and Vietnamese pop star and dissident Mai Khôi, moderated by ARC's executive director, Julie Trébault.

Art of Exile, brings together three documentary shorts from directors Dara Kell and Veena Rao that recount the stories of a visionary, self-taught artist, a boundary-pushing novelist, and a defiant musician who challenge the status quo, preconceived notions, and the boundaries of the permissible. The discussion will highlight the work of each writer and ask, what does it mean to make art while navigating the creative, personal, and logistical challenge of living in exile.

8:00 pm - 9:15 pm: Dialogues: Poetry in Conversation

From the moment pen is set to paper, all literature is inherently in dialogue: with predecessors, peers, canons, and its readers alike. Some literature goes a step further, though, centering the act of conversation as a core facet of the work.

Join poets Dunya Mikhail (Tablets: Secrets of the Clay) and Radu Vancu, for an exciting discussion on the power of dialogue in poetry. Moderated by poet and translator Nancy Naomi Carlson (transl. When We Only Have the Earth) these poets will explore how their poems engage in dialogue with other artists, writers, poets, and forms. From meditative discourses with ancient Sumerian tablets to ekphrastic poems, these works expose the poignance of exchange and dialogue in poetry. As literary translators, these poets will also reveal how translation informs their approach to writing poetry.

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: DREaming On Stage (virtual)

From different corners of the earth, a group of writers have gathered to write epic plays about everything they know and everything they believe in. They have queered your sacred texts, reimagined folklore, excavated ghosts, and made absolute magic. Join us virtually and watch these emerging writers birth new plays and new forms they have created.

DREaming Out Loud is supported by public funds from the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), and is presented in partnership with the National Queer Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, and the Mexican Studies Institute at the City University of New York (CUNY).

8:00 pm - 9:15 pm: Towards A Trans Aesthetic

Join acclaimed writers Oliver Radclyffe (Frighten the Horses), Meredith Talusan (Fairest), Bishakh Som (Apsara Engine) and PEN american President Jennifer Finney Boylan (Cleavage) for a conversation exploring how their experiences within the transgender community have shaped their aesthetics as memoirists. From navigating the differences between genders to crafting late in life coming of age narratives, these authors will explore how their journeys and communities have influenced their stylistic choices.

In a time where trans lives and stories are facing increasing political and legislative attacks, these authors will also delve into the experience of writing and publishing trans narratives in america today.

8:30 pm - 9:45 pm: Ways of Writing the Self

Writers often mine their own lives for inspiration, turning personal experiences into groundbreaking narratives. From experimental memoirs, to autofiction, to works that blur the line between fiction and reality, these stories offer fresh perspectives on the self.

Join Sheila Heti (Alphabetical Diaries), Vigdis Hjorth (If Only), and moderator Jenny Niven, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, for an engaging conversation discussing how these authors transformed the raw material of their lives into creative works. In Alphabetical Diaries Heti collected 500,000 words from 10 years' worth of journals, put the sentences in a spreadsheet, and sorted them alphabetically before cutting them down to a final 60,000 words. In If Only Hjorth writes a novel delving into the psyche of a writer having an affair with a married man. Heti will be joining virtually. Discover why these authors chose to expose their inner worlds through these works and the many different approaches to writing the self.

9:00 pm - 10:15 pm: Crafting Nightmares: The Art of Horror with Stephen Graham Jones and Paul Tremblay

The new novels of Paul Tremblay (Horror Movie) and Stephen Graham Jones (The Buffalo Hunter Hunter) will make readers' palms sweat, breath catch, and hearts race. Join two modern horror masters for an electrifying discussion on their new novels, moderated by NPR's Gabino Iglesias (House of Bone and Rain). From reinventing the "cursed film" to bringing vampires to the Blackfeet reservation, Tremblay and Jones subvert horror tropes and push the genre into bold new directions. In this conversation the two titans will also discuss their perspectives on the craft of horror and the different interests that have captured them over the course of their careers.

Saturday May 3, 2025

10:00 am - 5:00 pm: ArtLords Public Mural

ArtLords, together with Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) and the vibrant community of New York City, will ignite the PEN World Voices Festival with an electrifying live mural creation event. This groundbreaking artistic endeavor is poised to magnify the transformative power of art in championing social change, advocating for freedom of expression, and fortifying cultural resilience.

The mural will be a canvas of solidarity, embodying the resilient spirit of artists who defy adversity to express their truth. It will intricately interlace narratives of struggle and victory from across the globe, paying homage to those navigating conflict zones or enduring oppressive censorship.

Join us for the painting of a vibrant testament to the indomitable spirit of artistic freedom and collective solidarity

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Indie Lit Fair

Join us for the ninth annual Indie Lit Fair, co-presented by the PEN World Voices Festival and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP). This year, the Indie Lit Fair will take place south of Astor Place, on the sidewalk of Lafayette Street, between Astor Place and Joe's Pub. Free and open to the public, the Indie Lit Fair celebrates the vitality and diversity of independent literary publishing, showcasing new and established poetry presses, fiction and creative nonfiction publishers, and innovative literary magazines. Stop by to browse, buy, and bask in the breadth of the literary arts being published today.

12:30 pm - 1:45 pm: Erased: Media Erasure and Authoritarianism

In an age where truth is under attack, authoritarian regimes are employing a chilling tactic to silence opposition: erasing independent media. By controlling narratives, they dominate political discourse, shield themselves from accountability and erase the stories that threaten their hold on power.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion with New York Times journalist M. Gessen and Anna Nemzer, journalist, co-founder of the Russian Independent Media Archive (RIMA), and human rights and democracy researcher and advocate Yaqiu Wang as they delve into the alarming rise of media erasure by authoritarian governments. Co-presented by the RIMA and the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center, this conversation will explore the devastating impact of censorship in the digital age, from the deletion of websites, controlling what can and can't be said on social media, and the destruction of historical records.

Gessen, Nemzer, and Wang will not only shed light on how these tactics work, but discuss the ways journalists and writers can push back against media erasure, protect free expression, and fight for the truth to not be silenced.

Don't miss this urgent conversation about the battle for truth and independent media in a world where information is power.

12:30 pm - 1:45 pm: Shifting Perspectives: From One World to Another

Divides shape our lives-across eras, borders, and political landscapes. But how do these shifts of time, place, and circumstance impact who we are?

Join authors, Daniel Kehlmann (The Director), amitava Kumar (My Beloved Life), and Reyna Grande (A Ballad of Love and Glory) for an exciting conversation with writer Sam Sussman. Together, they'll explore how changing political environments reflect the shifting nature of personhood. Following characters going from Hollywood's golden age to Nazi propaganda offices, from pre-independence India to a newly independent nation, and from 19th-century america to a Mexican battlefield - these stories span nations and generations, united by one question: How do the worlds around us shape our choices, identities and our lives?

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Vital Voices Reading

Vital Voices from Indie Lit Publishers, hosted by The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), presents readings from a diverse array of independently published authors. This year, Vital Voices will be presented at Astor Place. The event will feature fiction writers, poets, and translators.

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Writing Humor for Kids, Seriously

Funny books for kids can transport young readers to an amusing and entertaining universe, serving as a refuge from life's difficult moments, as well as easing the approach to serious subjects. A panel of four distinctive voices in contemporary children's literature-Cece Bell (El Deafo), Christopher Paul Curtis (The Watsons Go To Birmingham), and Eugene Yelchin (The Genius Under the Table)-will discuss the role of humor in their books. Their work explores, respectively, how challenges of deafness compound those of childhood; Black american lives in various historical eras; themes of love, hope and forgiveness in families; and growing up behind the Iron Curtain in the Soviet Union. The panelists will delve into the ways that humor infuses their stories and the challenge of using humor with sensitivity. The panel will be moderated by Elizabeth Levy, longtime author of humorous fiction whose recent non-fiction historical books have been singled out for their unexpectedly funny qualities. Her most recent book, written with Andrea Batis, is Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare.

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Words for the Planet: Writers Confronting the Climate Crisis

Climate change is here and its impact is felt everywhere. From natural disasters to forced migration, the crisis is exacerbating inequities and reshaping our world. Authors, poets, and scientists are all responding to this crisis - exploring it on both a personal, collective, and global scale.

Join poet Marie Howe (New and Selected Poems), biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures), and Emily Raboteau (Lessons for Survival; Mothering Against the "Apocalypse"), for a cross-genre moderated conversation by James Tager. Together, they'll explore how their work responds to the climate crisis and how we can envision a sustainable future.

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Mainstreaming Artivism with ArtLords

Join ArtLords for a conversation exploring how art can be a powerful tool for activism, resistance, and social change. From war zones to global stages, panelists will share stories of how artists are shaping public discourse, challenging power, and reimagining a more just world through creativity.

Founded in 2014 in the heart of Kabul, Afghanistan, ArtLords emerged as a grassroots movement of artists and volunteers, driven by the desire to harness the transformative power of art. Their story began with a bold vision: to use the blank walls of Kabul as canvases to paint messages of peace, hope, and social change.

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Writing as Resistance

In times of political upheaval, displacement and erasure, writing becomes a powerful tool of resistance. Join Uyghur poet and memoirist Tahir Izgil Hamut (Waiting to Be Arrested at Night), Iraqi american poet Dunya Mikhail (Tablets: Secrets of the Clay), and Palestinian american novelist Etaf Rum (Evil Eye) as they discuss how their writing challenges dominant political narratives and preserves stories of displacement, exile and perseverance.

In his memoir Waiting to Be Arrested at Night, Tahir Hamut Izgil documents the Chinese government's persecution of the Uyghur people and his time in a labor-camp. In Dunya Mikhail's poetry collection Tablets: Secrets of Clay, she explores the memories and legacies of her families' exile from Iraq while looking back at Iraqi history. In Etaf Rum's novel Evil Eye, a Palestinian-american woman must navigate the intergenerational trauma of her family's displacement from Palestine. Moderated by novelist Mojgan Ghazirad (The House on Sun Street), this panel will delve into the urgency of documenting personal and collective experiences and how the act of writing both engenders change and urges us towards a future of complex understanding.

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Mothers, Sons, and Daughters: The Complex Ties That Bind

Join Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Haslett (Mothers and Sons) and internationally bestselling author Siri Hustvedt (Mothers, Fathers, and Others) for an insightful conversation on how literature grapples with the maternal bond. Haslett's novel explores the emotional distance between a mother and son, torn apart by their differing understandings of a death. Hustvedt's essay collection challenges the cultural expectations of motherhood, especially in a world shaped by misogyny.
Moderated by Rivka Galchen (Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch), this discussion will examine our understanding of mothering, both its expectations and tensions, offering fresh perspectives on motherhood-just in time for Mother's Day.

4:30 pm - 5:45 pm: Slices of american Life: With Aaliyah Bilal and Gina Chung

Join us for an intimate discussion with authors Gina Chung (Green Frog) and Aaliyah Bilal (Temple Folk) whose short story collections offer rich portraits of two vibrant american communities. In Green Frog, Chung explores Korean american womanhood in stories that weave in Korean folklore, science fiction and the fantastic. In Temple Folk, Bilal's stories chart the lives of people of the nation of Islam, as they navigate questions of race, faith, sexuality and politics.

In this dynamic discussion, moderated by writer Sarah Dillard, Chung and Bilal will explore the power of storytelling to reflect the lives and desires of their communities and the art of capturing the complexities of communities through fiction.

6:00 pm - 7:15 pm: Bold Voices: Latin american Writers in Conversation

A new wave of Latin american literature is rising, and it's led by women. Join Mexican novelist Guadalupe Nettel (The Accidentals), Argentinian novelist Gabriela Cabezón Cámara (The Girl From the Orange Grove) and Uruguayan author Fernanda Trias (Pink Slime) in a conversation moderated by writer and curator Lily Philpott exploring this moment in Latin american literature.

Bringing together Latin american women writers who are breaking new ground in their work, this conversation will explore how the women lead movements against restrictions on women's rights and rising gender violence in Latin america, environmental and political corruption, and the evolving nature of gender roles, finds echoes in these writers books, as they explore the lives of Latin american women, while pushing the boundaries of genre and aesthetics.

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Closing Night - Under Siege: The Perils of Journalism in an Age of State Repression

Around the world, journalists are facing unprecedented attacks as governments crack down on press freedoms. From outright censorship to threats and arrests, reporters are increasingly at risk for doing the vital work of informing the public.

Join Indian journalist Rana Ayyub of The Washington Post and George Packer of the Atlantic as they sit down with PEN america's interim Co-CEO and Chief Program Officer, Free Expression, Summer Lopez, for an urgent conversation about the escalating dangers journalists face when governments target the press. This discussion will explore how government repression not only silences and endangers the media, but also emboldens other dangerous actors who feel that they too have the license to threaten, harass and attack journalists with impunity.

Date:
April 30 - May 3, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in New York, NY

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