Press

Press release of December 16, 2023
General assembly of PEN Berlin

The writers′ association PEN Berlin held its second regular general meeting on Friday. Spokespersons Eva Menasse and Deniz Yücel regretted the resignations of some members who had attracted media attention in recent weeks in the wake of the Middle East conflict, but reaffirmed the association′s commitment to political diversity. MORE

 

Press release of December 3, 2023
Release our honorary member Toomaj Salehi

The Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi was beaten by armed police on the streets of Tehran on 30 November and taken to an unknown location. He had previously posted a video on social media describing the torture he had been subjected to during his last eleven months in prison.(…) Deniz Yücel said: »While the world focuses on Israel and Gaza, the Islamist dictatorship is executing more and more opponents of the regime«. MORE

 

Press release of 30 November 2023
Congress »»With Our Heads Through the Walls«

PEN Berlin’s second cultural congress: 35 participants, 11 events. Topics include: »Talking On Unsteady Ground: Israel & Palestine«, »Problem Baklava – Anti-Semitism & Racism In the Immigration Society«, »Me, Mysefl and I: In The Hell Of Autofiction«. Susan Neiman and Adrian Daub will deliver impulse talks for the public debate »What Is Woke, Where Is Left?« Guests include Ursula Krechel and Sasha Filipenko. The keynote address will be delivered by the world-renowned British writer A.L. Kennedy. To conclude, human and artificial intelligence will face off in a Poetry Slam. 16 December, Festsaal Kreuzberg. FULL PROGRAM

 

Press release of November 29, 2023
Causa Otoo: PEN Berlin calls for a sense of proportion

PEN Berlin is fundamentally opposed to any politically motivated boycott of art and culture. The BDS approach is wrong and incompatible with the values of the PEN Charter. But it is equally wrong to turn this misguided approach against its supporters. In light of the increasing number of cases in recent weeks, we strongly remind cultural institutions in Germany of their duty of care towards recognised artists.« MORE

 

Press release of November 23, 2023
Criminalisation of Last Generation goes too far

The Munich I Regional Court has classified the climate protection group »Last Generation« as a criminal organisation. Deniz Yücel commented on this legally binding decision: »You don’t have to like Last Generation. You can agree with their drastic warnings of an imminent climate catastrophe, or you can regard them as an exaggerated form of apocalypticism. You may find some of their demands anti-democratic. (…) However, their protest, always peaceful, should not be criminalised in this way.« MORE

 

Press release of November 13, 2023
Belarus: Father of writer Filipenko jailed

On the morning of November 9, the father of well-known Belarusian writer and dissident Sasha Filipenko was taken away by several armed men in the capital, Minsk. This is a clear case of clan responsibility and intimidation, unfortunately common in Russia and its satellite states. The parents were forced to lie on the floor, their home was searched and their personal belongings taken. MORE

 

Press release of November 11, 2023
Never Again Is Now! Texts Against Antisemitism

PEN Berlin’s second reading against antisemitism. As previously in Berlin, now in Frankfurt: Stephan Anpalagan, Eva Demski, Özlem Dündar, Yannic Han Biao Federer, Arno Frank, Michel Friedman, Juan Guse, Kathrin Röggla and Anna Yeliz Schentke will read texts against antisemitism by Jean Améry, Hannah Arendt, Heinrich Mann and others. 19 November 2023, Mousonturm, Frankfurt

 

Press release of November 7, 2023
Never Again Is Now! Texts Against Antisemitism

»Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem, it is our problem«, wrote Jean-Paul Sartre in 1946. Non-Jewish Germans, regardless of their origin, cannot remain oblivious to the fact that antisemitic violence is once again increasing rapidly in Germany. No one must be left indifferent when Jews once again begin to anxiously ask themselves where hatred will lead. Where they cannot live safely and free from fear, soon no one will be able to live freely. That’s why Seyran Ates, Ralf Bönt, Nora Bossong, Thea Dorn, Michel Friedman, Katja Lange-Müller, Marko Martin, Ulrich Matthes, Herta Müller and Düzen Tekkal will read texts against antisemitism by Jean Améry, Hannah Arendt, and others. 10 November, Deutsches Theater, Berlin

 

Press release of October, 20, 2023
In light of current events: Minor Detail

Following the »postponement« of the award ceremony for Adania Shibli, PEN Berlin is organizing at short notice a reading from her novel »Minor Detail«, for which she was to receive the LiBeraturpreis. Reading by PEN Berlin spokesperson and writer Eva Menasse, as well as writers Tomer Dotan-Dreyfus, Deborah Feldman, Julia Franck, Sasha Marianna Salzmann, and Dana Vowinckel. The introductory remarks will be given by journalist and PEN Berlin spokesperson Deniz Yücel.

 

Press release of October 20, 2023
PEN Berlin supports Seyran Ates: Our Salman Rushdie

Following the uncovering of plans by an offshoot of the Islamic State terror militia to attack the progressive Ibn Rushd Goethe Mosque in Berlin, PEN Berlin has expressed its solidarity with its founding member Seyran Ateş. »Fortunately, the killers were stopped in time«, said PEN Berlin spokesperson Deniz Yücel.« MORE

 

Press release of October 16, 2023
In light of current events: Concern for Israel

In light of current events, PEN Berlin, in cooperation with the Frankfurt Book Fair, has added an additional event to the programme. With: Tomer Dotan-Dreyfus, Eva Illouz, Meron Mendel, Doron Rabinovici and Esther Schapira (host). Wednesday, 18 October, 10:30 a.m. at the Frankfurt Pavilion

 

Press release of October 13, 2023
Not a minor detail: Let Adania Shibli get awarded!

Usually, these kinds of press releases are only written after the milk has been spilled. But perhaps it makes more sense to speak up before. We’re talking about the Palestinian writer Adania Shibli, who is to be awarded the »LiBerature Prize 2023« (…). Eva Menasse said: »No book becomes different, better, worse or more dangerous because the news situation changes. (…) The Book Fair should be the place to have such debates – not to stifle them«. MORE

 

Press release of October 9, 2023
Goethe Institutes: You better save!

It comes as no surprise that the Goethe Institutes (with a current annual budget of 239 million euros) are having to cut costs. After years of pandemic and a wartime energy crisis, the traditionally expansive German cultural work abroad has been hit. (…) Eva Menasse, spokesperson for PEN Berlin, comments: »Of course, even Goethe must save money. But this first result is both meagre and politically short-sighted. It preserves domestic interests and unnecessarily alienates France and Italy.« MORE

 

Press release of October 3, 2023
That works: Programme at the Book Fair

5 days, 14 events, 43 participants. We would particularly like to draw attention to the panel »Hope for Russia?« with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Irina Scherbakowa, Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth and the writers Dmitry Glukhovsky and Michail Schischkin, which opens the programme in the Frankfurt Pavilion. Also taking part: Rasha Abbas, Jens Balzer, Lea Bonasera, Yavuz Ekinci, Julia Franck, Michel Friedman, Nataša Kramberger, Andrej Kurkow, Lukas Rietzschel, Susan Neiman, Mithu Sanyal, Tanja Tuma and more

 

Press release of October 2, 2023
We have not forgotten Ján Kuciak

PEN Berlin is concerned about the situation of freedom of expression in Slovakia after the left-wing populist politician Robert Fico again won the parliamentary elections on Sunday. »No one should forget that Fico had to resign in the wake of the protests following the brutal murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová«, said PEN Berlin spokesperson Deniz Yücel. MORE

 

Press release of September 28, 2023
Why the hell not: PEN Berlin at PEN International

PEN Berlin has officially become a member of the international PEN family! At this year’s General Assembly, held via videoconference from Tuesday to Thursday, PEN Berlin received the necessary two-thirds majority of votes cast. »We are thrilled«, said Eva Menasse. »This is also a recognition of our work over the past 15 months – supporting persecuted authors as well as our commitment to freedom of speech, press and art.« MORE

 

Press release of July 30, 2023
Cuts in cultural programs at Bayerischer Rundfunk

The BR wants to cut formats like »kulturWelt«, »Diwan: Das Büchermagazin«, »Kulturjournal: Kritik Dialog Essay«, »Nachtstudio«, »radioTexte – die Lesungen«, as well as in-house radio dramas. The cuts affect seven hours of broadcasting time each week. Critics within the station say that »culture is becoming a niche product«. This was reported by the Münchner Abendzeitung. PEN Berlin strongly protests against this decision. MORE

 

Press release of June 21, 2023
Defamatory film series about Osman Kavala

Turkish-German Forum of Culture, PEN International, PEN Germany, (aspiring) PEN Berlin, Academy of Science and Reporters without Borders are deeply concerned about the broadcast of a film series on the streaming service of the Turkish state broadcaster TRT, which shows a discrediting and disparaging portrayal of Osman Kavala. MORE

 

Press release of June 20, 2023
Yavuz Ekinci arrived in Berlin

The well-known Turkish-Kurdish writer Yavuz Ekinci has been tried several times in Turkey for tweets and sentenced to 18 months probation; Ekinci’s novel »Dream Splinters« – presented at the Turkish Ministry of Culture stand at the 2014 Frankfurt International Book Fair – was recently banned and confiscated. (…) Now he has arrived in Berlin. MORE

 

Press release of June 14, 2023
Kakwenza Rukirabashaija honored with Havel Prize

PEN Berlin congratulates its newly elected member Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who was awarded the »Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent« in Oslo today.  The lawyer and writer is a celebrity in his native Uganda for his satirical novels. (…) After being abducted by the secret service in February 2022 and again severely tortured, he decided to flee to a neighboring country. The German PEN, under its then-president and current spokesperson for PEN Berlin, Deniz Yücel, was able to bring the writer to safety in Germany. MORE

 

Press release of June 10, 2023
PEN Berlin celebrates first birthday

The new authors’ association PEN Berlin, founded after conflicts in the German PEN Centre (Darmstadt), turned one year old on 10 June. To mark its first birthday, the association held a digital general meeting and elected 85 new members, including Esther Kinsky, Gerd Koenen, Felicitas von Lovenberg, Harald Martenstein and Tien-Chi Martin Liao. MORE

 

Press release of May 24, 2023
We focus on Italy

Streets are named after fascists, representatives of the cultural establishment are replaced by neo-fascists, critical journalists are intimidated, pro-government media run campaigns against minorities. Italy under Giorgia Meloni – is that still democracy? How could this happen? On the panel: Francesca Melandri (Author), Laura Garavini (German-italian Politican and Giovanni di Lorenzo (Editor in Chief Die Zeit. Host: Birgit Schönau. 

 

Press release of May 18, 2023
Turkey: Arrest warrant for Deniz Yücel

In the May hearing of the trial against the journalist and spokesperson of PEN Berlin, Deniz Yücel on charges of »insulting the president« and »openly degrading the Turkish state and the Turkish nation«, the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court ruled that a warrant for Yücel’s arrest should be issued. (…) In a state governed by the rule of law, Yücel would not have been charged for lawfully exercising these freedoms. In a state that follows its own laws, he should have been acquitted under the Supreme Court rulings in question. MORE

 

Press release of May 18, 2023
Georg Stefan Troller: Honorary member of PEN Berlin

Konrad Adenauer, Romy Schneider, Orson Welles – just three of the countless interview partners Georg Stefan Troller has had in front of the microphone in his eight-decade career as a television journalist. (…) Georg Stefan Troller turns 102 this year. We are extremely pleased to welcome him as an honorary member of PEN Berlin. MORE

 

Press release of May 14, 2023
We mourn the death of Sibylle Lewitscharoff

On Saturday, May 13, Sibylle Lewitscharoff, our esteemed colleague, Büchner Prize winner and founding member of PEN Berlin, died in Berlin after a long illness. She was an outstanding, immensely original, stupendously educated writer and artist, and an exemplary strong, free person. She thought freely, she laughed freely, and when she got something wrong, as occasionally happens to everyone, she faced her errors as fearlessly and openly as she dealt with all the other impositions of life. MORE

 

Press release of May 10, 2023
90 Years of Nazi book burnings

These days we are remembering the National Socialist book burnings that took place all over Germany ninety years ago in May. (…) But if commemoration is not to degenerate into an empty formula, then we today must try to understand history: to recognize the differences, but also related tendencies. (…) Until today books are banned and authors are suppressed, for this or that, but always for bad reasons. MORE

 

Press release of May 5, 2023
Russia: Free Yevgenia Berkovich & Svetlana Petriychuk!

Yesterday, Moscow director Yevgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk were arrested. Berkovich is a central figure in the alternative and resistant literary scene in Moscow and Russia. She has chosen not to go into exile and to fight for a democratic Russia, this is the reason why she is being harassed under unjustified allegations. MORE

 

Press release of April 19, 2023
Programme at the Leipzig Book Fair

»Poetry for the few, poetry for the many, poetry for the tender, poetry for the tough.« With: Sebastian Köthe, Miryam Schellbach, Lea Schneider; moderated by Alexandru Bulucz. Welcoming remarks: Claudia Roth. »What does solidarity mean?« With: Sandra Hetzl, Eva Menasse, Deniz Yücel. »Russia Roundtable: Literature, Putinism and Resistance.« With: Maria Stepanova, Alexander Estis, Mikhail Shishkin; moderated by Julya Rabinowich. MORE

 

Press release of April 17, 2023
Second aid delivery of the »Fire trucks for Kharkiv«

Last weekend our driver Christian handed over the second aid delivery of the campaign »Fire trucks for Kharkiv« in Lviv to Switlana from the »Lviv Volunteers«. This organization will further transport the goods to Kharkiv to Serhiy Zhadan. At the request of our local friends, we did not deliver a fire truck this time, but a van and a trailer. We loaded five 8.1 KWH generators, ten additional 2.8 KWH gasoline generators, 25 water pumps and eight 2.2 KW power stations. MORE

 

Letter to members of February 9, 2023
Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: Helping, but how?

As an exception, we are publishing a letter to our members here. (…) Though humanitarian aid in the event of natural disasters is not our area of responsibility as PEN Berlin, we have been asked frequently by members in recent days which institution to donate to in order to ensure that the help reaches the needy as quickly as possible. MORE

 

Press release of January 12, 2023
Serbia: Solidarity with Marko Vidojković

PEN Berlin observes with great concern the increasingly violent radicalization of the Serbian public. Citizens critical of the government, writers, and journalists are put under massive pressure and receive death threats. In recent years, at least four well-known journalists have been murdered, but the crimes have never been solved. MORE

 

Press release of January 7, 2023
Fire trucks to Kharkiv – We have delivered

PEN Berlin spokesperson Deniz Yücel and co-initiator Liane Bednarz today handed over urgently needed supplies to our Ukrainian colleague, writer, musician, and German Peace Prize laureate Serhij Zhadan: Two IVECO fire-fighting trucks, each with a 20kVA generator, a trailer with twenty-eight 8kVA diesel generators, one 50kVA diesel generator, (…) MORE