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.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farmSavanier scores sweet volley then gets red card as Montpellier beats ToulouseTight league title races play out across European soccer. Belgium aims for more epic lastBlack trainer Larry Demeritte brings his $11,000 horse to the Kentucky DerbyEuro 2024 teams can add 3 players in 26Kolkata breaks 11Lawyers for teen suing NBA star Ja Morant over a fight during a pickup game withdraw from the caseDenmark to liberalize its abortion law to allow the procedure until 18th week of pregnancyJokes about the Germans, gooseEighties heart
3.3121s , 6498.8984375 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by PEN America cancels World Voices Festival amid criticism of its response to Israel ,Culture Currents news portal