Three weeks left to make a nomination for our two PEN prizes ⏰ We want you to tell us who is making a difference in Canada. The Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize recognizes those who help imperilled writers around the world. The Ken Filkow Prize is awarded to those who advance free expression in Canada.

The Graeme Gibson Talk returns this October! Occurring at the Toronto International Festival of Authors (Oct 27-Nov 1, 2026), this annual event features writers with expert knowledge on an emergent issue. Last year featured Rachel Maddow and Rebecca Solnit. Who will be on this year's line up? 👀

We're thrilled to announce Elamin Abdelmahmoud as the host of the October PEN Benefit. Elamin is the host of Commotion on CBC, a daily arts, pop culture and entertainment show. He is the author of Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces, a number one national bestseller.

PEN International expresses its profound alarm at the worsening violence against journalists in #Mexico. The succession of murders across several states in recent weeks reflects a severe deterioration of the country’s freedom of expression environment: www.pen-international.org/news/mxico-k...

Mexico: Killing of journalists condemned - at least five murdered in six weeks  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘The appalling crimes against journalists in Mexico are not isolated, but part of a pattern that threatens freedom of expression itself. Journalists must be able to work without fear of violence. The ...

pen-international.org

Canadians have less time and attention for books. With the advent of smartphones, social media, and AI, attention spans are shrinking, as is our ability to grapple with complex text. PEN spoke with CBC on why Canadians are reading less and how this impacts the world: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

The book bans continue in Alberta — the province updated its Libraries Act earlier this month and set a January 1 deadline for libraries to comply. The new restriction applies to books, periodicals, comics and graphic novels, films, TV programs and video games: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Alberta government gives public libraries Jan. 1 deadline to comply with new restrictions | CBC News

The province informed public libraries this month that they have until the start of the new year to establish new practices restricting access to library materials containing sexually explicit images ...

cbc.ca

There is currently no legislation enabling courts in the Province of Alberta to dismiss Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (“SLAPP” lawsuits). Add your signature for a stronger and healthier democracy at antislappalberta.ca

PEN Canada@pencanada.bsky.social · 3w ago

In recent years, a growing number of journalists and media organizations in Alberta, as well as digital media creators, civil society groups, academics, activists and political actors, have been subjected to legal threats and lawsuits over their reporting and commentary on issues of public interest.

PEN International joins organizations and advocates around the world in calling on the Thai authorities to halt the forcible return of Chinese journalist Bai Zhaodong to China, where he faces a grave risk of persecution and serious human rights violations. www.pen-international.org/news/thailan...

Thailand: Urgent call to halt the forcible return of journalist Bai Zhaodong to China — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‍ 21 July 2026: PEN International is joining organisations and advocates around the world in calling on the Thai authorities to halt the forcible return of Chinese journalist Bai Zhaodong to China, wh...

pen-international.org

We have a prize for helping writers around the world — and it's open for nominations. Who has won the prize before? buff.ly/VRCGiOo

Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize - PEN Canada

This prize recognizes aid and assistance given to a writer outside Canada who has faced threats, violence, harassment, or imprisonment.

pencanada.ca

Tell us the story of a hero. There are 4 weeks left for nominations for our Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize, recognizing those who help imprisoned and persecuted writers around the world. Whether through aid, resettlement or advocacy, tell us who is making a difference: pencanada.ca/advocacy-aid...

Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize - PEN Canada

This prize recognizes aid and assistance given to a writer outside Canada who has faced threats, violence, harassment, or imprisonment.

pencanada.ca

🚨 Deadline TODAY! Get your application in for the 2026–27 PEN Canada Exiled Writer-in-Residence 🔗 uoft.me/PEN26-27 @pencanada.bsky.social

In recent years, a growing number of journalists and media organizations in Alberta, as well as digital media creators, civil society groups, academics, activists and political actors, have been subjected to legal threats and lawsuits over their reporting and commentary on issues of public interest.

Mayyu Ali is the founder and director of Rasa Books, a multilingual Rohingya publishing house producing fiction, poetry, history, biography, cultural and children education books in Rohingya, Burmese, and English.

#Egypt: Ahead of Ahmed Douma’s appeal hearing in two days, PEN International joins a global coalition of civil society and human rights organizations calling for his immediate and unconditional release. Read the full statement ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/egypt-a...

Egypt: Ahead of Expected Judgment in Appeal, Civil Society Organisations Globally Call for the Release of Ahmed Douma  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worl...

14 July 2026: PEN International joins a global coalition of civil society and human rights organisations calling on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Egyptian activis...

pen-international.org

The curator of a new banned-book subscription service says it’s important to not only read books that are commonly banned, but also get together and talk about them. “I’m really hoping to build community around this," said Robyn Wilson of Lit Resistance... buff.ly/J7UABJI

Resistance to book restrictions is built on community

The curator of a new banned-book subscription service says it's important to not only read books that are commonly banned, but also get together and talk about them.

edmonton.taproot.news

"Don't forget, my son - our life is theatre, and theatre is our life." One year after his death, the son of a 'father of Palestinian theatre' remembers him through teachings on liberation, education, and a theatre that is born of and belonging to the people: www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/my-f...

My father made Palestinian theatre an act of resistance

One year after his death, I remember Adel Tartir through his final reflections on theatre as a space for confession, provocation and liberation

middleeasteye.net

We are please to announce a new residency for writers living in exile 🌎 PEN Canada, Victoria University, and the Jackman Humanities Institute (JHI) invite applications for its Exiled Writer-in-Residence position for the 2026-2027 academic year. 🗓️ Deadline: Monday July 20, 2026 buff.ly/m8kOWVc

Before our October event, learn more about the fund: pencanada.ca/advocacy-aid...

Joan Leishman Memorial Fund - PEN Canada

In memory of the journalist and humanitarian, the Joan Leishman Memorial Fund provides critical assistance and support to writers in exile.

pencanada.ca

PEN Canada@pencanada.bsky.social · last mo.

Save-the-date for an unforgettable evening of community and purpose. On Thursday Oct 1, together we will celebrate the life of beloved CBC reporter and humanitarian Joan Leishman while building a vital legacy of support for writers in exile living in Canada. This event is proudly supported by CBC.

Save-the-date for an unforgettable evening of community and purpose. On Thursday Oct 1, together we will celebrate the life of beloved CBC reporter and humanitarian Joan Leishman while building a vital legacy of support for writers in exile living in Canada. This event is proudly supported by CBC.

"With poet Ahmed Douma’s appeal hearing due to take place imminently, the Court of Appeal has an opportunity to reverse a grave miscarriage of justice. No one should be in prison for their peaceful expression." www.pen-international.org/news/egypt-t...

Egypt: The Court of Appeal should quash the unjust sentence against Poet Ahmed Douma  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘With poet Ahmed Douma’s appeal hearing due to take place imminently, the Court of Appeal has an opportunity to reverse a grave miscarriage of justice and to reaffirm Egypt’s constitutional protection...

pen-international.org

PEN International and PEN Poland welcome Poland’s Anti-SLAPP Act, a win for press freedom and protection for writers and journalists against vexatious lawsuits. Polish authorities should seize the momentum by decriminalizing defamation: www.pen-international.org/news/poland-...

Poland: Anti-SLAPP Act is welcome improvement for writers   — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘For years, SLAPPs have emotionally and financially burdened Poland’s writers and journalists. As we celebrate the passing of the Anti-SLAPP Act, we call for these positive changes to inspire broader ...

pen-international.org

12 writers. 25 years. Proof of life now. 📣 This summer, PEN International, together with PEN Eritrea in Exile and other PEN Centres, will launch a global campaign demanding urgent proof of life, accountability, and justice world's long-detained writers.

Twelve Eritrean writers and journalists have been disappeared for 25 years. One is Dawit Isaak. He is a journalist, writer and playwright. He is the co-ownder of Setit, Eritrea’s largest-circulation independent newspaper. He is a father to three.

The Walrus and Peter Mansbridge are proud to launch the Mansbridge Essay, a new annual $5,000 program supporting emerging writers in Canada. The essay will be published in The Walrus’s January/February 2027 issue. Submissions due July 15. Submit your pitch. https://thewalrus.ca/new-essay-program/

For more than a century, Alberta’s public libraries have largely answered to the communities they serve. But now, Alberta’s recently passed Bill 28 could fundamentally alter how public libraries operate across the province: buff.ly/nzxGpBo

Library leaders raise concerns over Bill 28’s capabilities

By Joe Manio Lethbridge Herald For more than a century, Alberta's public libraries have largely answered to the communities they serve. That long-standing

lethbridgeherald.com

PEN Canada began at a kitchen table. It was a distinguished kitchen table — Margaret Atwood’s. Four decades ago, the first PEN chapter in Canada, founded in 1926 in Québec, had just split into francophone and anglophone centres: PEN Québec in Montreal and PEN Canada in Toronto.

What happens when libraries disappear? Five rural libraries in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley are set to close this summer, which account for 45% of the region’s total libraries. The closure of these libraries will be a huge blow to the rural communities they serve: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Annapolis Valley libraries closing 5 branches, cites static provincial funding | CBC News

The Annapolis Valley Regional Library announced the changes Monday after months of sounding the alarm that their operations were on shaky financial footing.

cbc.ca

Next week at our sold-out Summer Social, Kim Echlin will be interviewed by Ali Sobati. Sobati is an Iranian poet, translator, and literary activist based in Toronto. With over 20 years in Iran’s suppressed literary and academic circles, he has taught across underground and alternative institutions.

This is the winner of last year's Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize 👇 Now, this year's prize is open for nominations — we encourage anyone interested in PEN to submit a nomination: pencanada.ca/advocacy-aid...

PEN Canada@pencanada.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Kurdish-Canadian journalist Diary Marif spent five years advocating for the release of five imprisoned writers. For this work, he was awarded the Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize last year. We caught up with Diary, who tells us about his sense of responsibility and optimism: pencanada.ca/a-voice-for-...

PEN members — RSVP to attend our Annual General Meeting. 🗓️ Thursday June 11 ⏰ 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. This year the AGM will be hybrid – with a Zoom link available to any member or supporter across the country, and limited seats in Toronto available to PEN members only. pencanada.ca/event/annual...

Annual General Meeting 2026 - PEN Canada

Be the first to see our annual report and participate in the elections for new board members. Stay afterwards for a summer social.

pencanada.ca