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.
ROBERT HARDMAN: When Charles wears his T
Knies scores in overtime, Matthews
Report says China is accelerating the forced urbanization of rural Tibetans
Bridgerton star Luke Newton reveals how he and co
General Hospital's Nancy Lee Grahn defends former co
May Day 2024: Workers, activists across Asia call for greater labor rights
UN food agency warns that the new US sea route for Gaza aid may fail unless conditions improve
Trump's comparison of student protests to Jan. 6 is part of effort to downplay Capitol attack
The bodies of 4 men and 2 women were found strangled, piled up in Mexican resort of Acapulco
King Charles says his 'thoughts and prayers' are with family of 14