In solidarity with PEN Belarus and all Belarusian people, PEN America presents a reading of contemporary Belarusian literature by our Members and friends, including Masha Gessen, Ayad Akhtar, Jennifer Egan, Keith Gessen, Bela Shayevich, Valzhyna Mort, Tatsiana Zamirovskaya, and Hanna Komar. For full bios and links to the work of our participating artists, visit our event page at [ Ссылка ]
On August 9, 2020, Belarus, a small European country often referred to as “the last dictatorship of Europe,” erupted in protest following the results of a fraudulent presidential election. Over the last two months, the people of Belarus have taken to the streets to call for free and fair elections, with their peaceful efforts met with unspeakable police brutality, violence, and a slew of illegal detainments. Among those facing intimidation from Belarusian authorities is Svetlana Alexievich, Nobel Prize-winning author and president of PEN Belarus, who is a part of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Coordinating Council.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Open Society University Network, [ Ссылка ] and City of Asylum Bookstore. You can purchase books mentioned during this event on their website at [ Ссылка ]
To learn more and to sign PEN America's open letter, go to [ Ссылка ]
Thank you! And stand with the people of Belarus!
