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Theme: Writers in Prison

Editorial

Messages of Solidarity, Writings of Hope

Around the world, writers take great risks by daring to write texts that oppressive rulers do not want to read. Writers...

Text: Elisabeth Löfgren and Hanna Nordell November 14 2024
Fiction

Stories from The Zekameron

During the protests in Belarus in 2020, poet, writer and lawyer Maksim Znak was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison. While in prison, he began writing and smuggling out The Zekameron, one...

Maksim Znak March 18 2025
Article

The easiest way to escape from prison: literature

Kurdish poet and journalist Nedim Türfent spent more than six years in Turkish prison for his journalistic work. For PEN/Opp, he describes life behind bars and how letters and literature kept him...

Text: Nedim Türfent March 05 2025
Poetry

(2020–2023)

In October 2019, PEN Belarus started monitoring violations of rights in the cultural sphere. Since the stolen election in 2020 Belarus has experienced an unprecedented wave of repression against civil...

Text: Taciana Niadbaj November 14 2024
Poetry

Poem from Prison

In November 2020, Kacharyna Andreyeva covered a demonstration honoring the memory of artist Raman Bandarenka, who was beaten to death during a protest. Thousands of people were arrested and Andrejeva...

Text: Katsjaryna Andrejeva November 14 2024

Theme: Tomorrow Club: Young Voices

Article

Power of the Pen

Since December 2022, Louis D.Hall has been working as a manager for NGO Insulate Ukraine. The NGO creates shatterproof, insulating windows for civilians living in the war-torn areas. For PEN/Opp he...

Text: Louis D. Hall December 30 2024
Article

I Was Born Into the possibility of a New World

Ege Dündar was only 19 when his father was imprisoned in Turkey and his life took a different turn. For PEN/Opp he writes about the escape, repression and attacks on his family, but also about the...

Text: Ege Dündar December 30 2024
Poetry

To Patriarchy

Hanna Komar is a Belarusian poet, writer, translator and performer. She's currently taking a PhD at the University of Brighton, exploring how poetry can support Belarusian women to share experiences...

Text: Hanna Komar December 23 2024

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