17/04/2013 · 10:57

PEN protests Fazıl Say jail sentence

English PEN is shocked that celebrated pianist, composer and writer Fazıl Say has received a ten-month suspended jail sentence for comments posted on Twitter. Last year, Say was charged with religious defamation under Article 216/3 of the Turkish Penal Code following a series of messages posted on Twitter. He was also charged under Article 218, which increases sentences by half for offences committed ‘via press or broadcast.’

Jo Glanville, Director of English PEN, said: ‘This is a case that should never have come to trial. When a figure as eminent as Fazıl Say is convicted, it sends a stark message to everyone in Turkey that the right to freedom of speech is severely restricted. Freedom of expression includes the freedom to provoke, outrage and offend. The suspended sentence handed down today is a significant chill for writers, journalists, publishers and activists in Turkey.’

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08/04/2013 · 12:55

Lowe wins PEN/Hessell-Tiltman Prize

The 2013 PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize for history has been awarded to Keith Lowe for Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II (Penguin Viking). Based on original documents, interviews and scholarly literature in eight languages, Savage Continent is a window on the brief, chaotic period between the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.

The £3,000 prize is awarded annually by writers’ charity English PEN for a non-fiction book of popular history.  This year’s judges were biographer and historian Philip Ziegler; Jane Ridley, professor of history and writer; and Stella Tillyard, historian, writer and Knox Fellow.

Keith Lowe will accept his prize from Chair of Judges Philip Ziegler at 4 pm on Tuesday, 16 April, as part of the English PEN Literary Café programme at the 2013 London Book Fair.

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04/04/2013 · 14:41

Countdown to LBF 2013

Just over 10 days to go to the big event.The London Book Fair has an online diary for all attendees and exhibitors, My LBF, which includes an extensive scheduling tool, designed to help exhibitors and visitors make new contacts, organise meetings and set-up vital networking opportunities at the fair.  For more information or to sign up now visit: www.londonbookfair.co.uk/diary

 

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