Scottish Black Writers Group with Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
The next meeting of the Scottish Black Writers Group is set for Thursday 17th June and features guest writer Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. During Black History Month 2020, we partnered with Scottish BAME...
View ArticleBelarus: Urgently end escalating crackdown on independent voices
‘This act of international piracy and hijacking brings into focus the threat to journalists and freedom of expression everywhere. It is clear that the Lukashenko administration will deploy any means...
View ArticleWatch: Helen Cruickshank Lecture with Dr Candice Goucher
In this lecture from the Scottish PEN Writers for Peace Committee, we celebrate the life, poetry and activism of Helen Cruickshank, and explore how the themes of her work resonate for writers today....
View ArticleReport: Impact of defamation law in Scotland
In partnership with the University of Strathclyde School of Humanities, we sought to determine the impact that defamation law as it stood for decades has had on writers in Scotland. In this study we...
View ArticleCall for submissions for PENning magazine International issue
The Scottish PEN Writers in Exile Committee is hoping to publish a special International issue of PENning magazine in Autumn 2021, featuring writers living and working in the African continent. This...
View ArticlePENning magazine event
Join the Scottish PEN Writers in Exile Committee and a variety of published writers as we hear readings from PENning magazine. About this event Our free online event will take place on Tuesday 27th...
View ArticleScottish PEN response to imprisonment of writer Craig Murray
On Friday 30th July 2021, a post was shared from the Scottish PEN Twitter account where we joined with writers and organisations around the world to express concern about the impending imprisonment of...
View ArticleJoint statement: Freedom for Varavara Rao
As PEN Centres we wish to highlight the case of renowned Indian poet, Varavara Rao, to all those who care about the defense of freedom of expression for writers. We call for all charges to be dropped...
View ArticleEvent: Freedom for Varavara Rao
Join Scottish PEN, Irish PEN//PEN na hÉireann and guests as we share poetry readings and updates on the case of renowned Indian poet, Varavara Rao. About this event This free event will provide an...
View ArticleScottish PEN AGM 2021
Scottish PEN is pleased to welcome members to attend our online Annual General Meeting at 12.00pm on Saturday 30th October 2021. This is an opportunity for members to share ideas, celebrate our work...
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Book review: Declarations on Freedom for Writers and Readers
Liz Niven, Chair of the Scottish PEN Writers in Exile Committee, recently published a review of the Declarations on Freedom for Writers and Readers anthology in the Gitanjali and Beyond, Issue 5. The...
View ArticleFour year anniversary of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia
Today marks four years since the Maltese investigative journalist and anti-corruption campaigner was killed by a car-bomb outside her home in Malta. Scottish PEN has joined with other campaigns for...
View ArticleDefamation Reform
Introduction In March 2021, the Scottish Parliament voted to make important changes to defamation law in Scotland. The Bill which passed, titled the ‘Defamation and Malicious Publications (Scotland)...
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Day of the Imprisoned Writer event
15th November is the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, a chance for writers and PEN centres around the world to stand in solidarity with at-risk or imprisoned writers everywhere. Too often writers,...
View ArticlePresidential Report: Carl MacDougall
At the 2021 Scottish PEN AGM on Saturday 30th October, Carl MacDougall delivered his final report as President, before handing over to newly elected President and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ricky...
View ArticleWatch: Day of the Imprisoned Writer event
This online event took place on the evening of Monday 15th November, and was led by the Scottish PEN Writers at Risk group. Featuring readings from PEN members and guests including Rebecca Vincent...
View ArticlePENning Magazine: Diary edition out now
PENning magazine, the Writers in Exile Committee biannual online journal, presents work by Scottish PEN’s member-writers alongside work by writers living in exile in Scotland. This issue is guest...
View ArticlePEN Centres Condemn Decision to Allow the Extradition of Julian Assange
Scottish PEN supports the following statement, first published by English PEN on behalf of a coalition of PEN centres around the world. The news today of the decision of the High Court to clear the...
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End of year message
This message was first shared with members of Scottish PEN via email. To donate to Scottish PEN or to join us in membership in 2022, please visit our ‘Join Us‘ page. Hello! The Trustees at Scottish...
View ArticleJoint letter: Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)
Scottish PEN has joined with over 25 human rights, arts and culture organisations to sign a letter to Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP, calling for transparency, support provisions, expanded eligibility...
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