NEW YORK (AP) — PEN America has canceled its annual World Voices Festival, as the literary and free expression organization continues to face widespread unhappiness with its response to the Israel-Hamas war. Earlier this week, PEN called off its awards ceremony after nearly half of the finalists withdrew from contention. The festival, which brings in writers from around the world, was to have taken place next month in New York and Los Angeles. PEN CEO Suzanne Nossel expressed regret over the cancellation, saying it contrasted with why Salman Rushdie among others established the festival 20 years ago. Naomi Klein, Michelle Alexander, Hisham Matar and dozens of other writers endorsed an open letter in March saying they would not participate in the festival. “PEN America exists to unite writers in defense of free expression. The premise of World Voices is to engage across wide chasms of worldview and belief, including fostering direct conversation between and among those who disagree profoundly,” Nossel said in a statement Friday. |
This summer embarks on a youthful feast: Chengdu 2021 FISU World University GamesDAILY MAIL COMMENT: Will Rayner now tell the whole truth?Commentary: CIFTIS opens door of cooperation wider for shared benefitXi Focus: Xi Jinping Meets Ma YingChina Focus: Record Qingming holiday box office heats up for May Day moviegoing frenzyChaos intensifies US political polarizationChina to firmly support highU.S. Inflation Reduction Act disrupts global industrial, supply chainsFrance should bring rational voice to EU trade policy on China'Liusanjie of New Generation' Sings for New Era