PEN, the English acronym standing for Poets, Essayists, Novelists, later broadened to Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists, is the largest international writers’ organization in the world. It consists of more than 100 national centres, which act autonomously in matters of internal policy, administration, priorities and objectives, but always and invariably within the framework of the principles set by the Statutory Charter of this Amphictyony of Logos.
Cyprus PEN has been operating since 1979 and its members are Cypriot authors. A condition for an author to become a member, in addition to the approval and active support and promotion of the principles of the Statutory Charter of PEN International is to have published at least one book.
ACCOLADE FOR PEN CYPRUS AT PEN INTERNATIONAL’S 90th CONGRESS IN OXFORD
The World’s foremost association of writers
PEN International is the foremost and largest association of writers which stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression around the world. Founded in London in 1921, PEN International connects an international community of writers across five continents with over 130 Centres in more than 90 countries. It is a forum where writers meet freely to discuss their work; it is also a voice speaking out for writers who are silenced in their own countries.
PEN International’s 90th Congress
PEN International’s 90th Congress, with the theme ‘Writers in a World at War’, took place in Oxford, England, from September 24th to 27th 2024. Delegates from over 90 countries convened against the backdrop of ongoing global crises to explore crucial issues, including the significance of the PEN Charter (see Appendix), the role of literature ‘across frontiers,’ and the future of PEN’s principles and mission of solidarity. PEN Cyprus was represented by its President, Angela Christofidou, while its treasurer, Susan Papas, followed the proceedings as an online delegate.
Programme and Activities
On 23th September registrations began, while on the 24th the work of the various Committees took place simultaneously in separate rooms: Writers in Prison, Writers for Peace, Women Writers, Translation and Linguistic Rights. On the 25th and 26th the intensive work and discussions continued on Activity reports, Financial Balance sheets, the new Saint Dominic PEN centre, and the new Young Voices Committee which aims at greater participation of young writers, a significant step forward.
Candidates for positions in the committees and the international organisation were presented to the conference
On 27th September two interesting debates preceded the election results, Equality in Expression with poignant testimonies from indigenous creators facing inequalities in freedom of expression in their own original languages, and Literature Knows No Frontiers, a panel discussion between author Elif Shafak and David Roche, Non-Executive Chairman of The London Book Fair.
Election Results
The International President, Burhan Somnez, was re-elected, Arne Svingen was elected as the new International Secretary, and Carles Torner was the International Vice President. Two new members of the Board of Directors begin their term, Kim Ehlin and Salil Tripathi. Judith Hill was elected President of the International Committee of Women Writers and Ma Thida President of the International Committee of Writers in Prison. Three new members of the International Search Committee begin their three-year term, Angela Christofidou, President of PEN Cyprus, Folu Agoi, and Jacob Søndergaard.
For the first time since PEN Cyprus was founded in 1979, a Cypriot candidate was elected as an official of International PEN on an international committee, a considerable honour for Cyprus. The PEN Cyprus President Angela Christofidou’s candidacy was supported by PEN Slovenia, PEN Argentina and PEN Cyprus.
NB The conference, committees and elections were conducted under the supervision and organization of the International Search Committee.
Two Resolutions were adopted
Two resolutions were adopted, on Freedom of Expression in Israel and Palestine and on Protection Mechanism for Writers at Risk.
“Empty Chairs”
Emotional moments were afforded by the well-established ceremonial of referencing writers who, either because of their imprisonment or because they are no longer alive, leave behind an empty chair. “Empty Chairs” is a tradition of International PEN. All delegates observed a minute of silence in memory of members of PEN centres who had passed away in the preceding year. Cyprus and Cyprus PEN lost two great writers, Petros Stylianou and Pitsa Galazi, included with writers from every corner of the earth in this honourable mention.
Petros Stylianou (1933-2024) PEN Cyprus: An altruist, freedom fighter during the struggle against British colonialism, ready to sacrifice his talents, career and life for his country, Petros Stylianou, a dedicated member of PEN Cyprus, prolific author, researcher and politician, offered everything that a leading citizen could offer for the common good.
Pitsa Galazi (1940 – 2023) PEN Cyprus: The eternal, poetic voice of Pitsa Galazi, an active member of PEN Cyprus, carries the living memory of the collective trauma of Cyprus. In her teenage years she was a freedom fighter during the struggle against British colonialism, an exquisite poet and later an essayist and radio producer.
Presence of Acclaimed Authors
Palestinian writer Adania Shibli launched the 90th PEN International Conference at a ceremony held at the Bodleian Library. Greetings were given by Burhan Sonmez (President of PEN International), Margaret Busby (President of PEN England) and Anthony Brewerton (Bodleian Libraries). The 90th Conference was also attended by acclaimed authors Margie Orford (former President of PEN South Africa), Sir Ben Okri (member of the PEN Writers’ Circle), Boris A Novak (PEN International Vice President) and Jennifer Finney Boylan, (PEN America President), as well as PEN International Fellows Peter MacDonald (University of Oxford) and Rachel Potter (University of East Anglia).
APPENDIX: The PEN Charter
The PEN Charter affirms that:
Literature knows no frontiers and must remain common currency among people in spite of political or international upheavals.
In all circumstances, and particularly in time of war, works of art, the patrimony of humanity at large, should be left untouched by national or political passion.
Members of PEN should at all times use what influence they have in favour of good understanding and mutual respect between nations and people; they pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel all hatreds and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality in one world.
PEN stands for the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations, and members pledge themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong, as well as throughout the world wherever this is possible. PEN declares for a free press and opposes arbitrary censorship in time of peace. It believes that the necessary advance of the world towards a more highly organised political and economic order renders a free criticism of governments, administrations and institutions imperative. And since freedom implies voluntary restraint, members pledge themselves to oppose such evils of a free press as mendacious publication, deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts for political and personal ends.
The Charter of PEN International has guided, unified and inspired its members for over 70 years. It was approved at the 1948 PEN Congress in Copenhagen.
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