PEN America, a renowned organization committed to free expression, recently made the unprecedented decision to cancel its prestigious 2024 awards ceremony. This move came in response to a significant number of writers and translators withdrawing their work in protest of the organization’s perceived lack of support for Palestinian writers.
Out of the 61 authors and translators nominated for awards, 28 chose to withdraw their books, citing PEN America’s alleged stance on the war in Gaza. Particularly striking was the withdrawal of nine out of ten authors nominated for the $75,000 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, the event’s most lucrative honor.
In a press release, PEN America’s Literary Programming Chief Officer, Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, expressed respect for the writers’ decisions, acknowledging their commitment to following their consciences. However, she regretfully acknowledged that the situation had overshadowed the outstanding work selected by esteemed judges across all categories.
PEN America’s annual awards ceremony, a longstanding tradition since 1963, has been a platform to honor exceptional literary voices across various genres. The recent writers’ boycott reflects a growing discontent within the literary sphere regarding PEN America’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The organization has also faced calls for resignations from prominent figures within the literary community, further intensifying the scrutiny on its leadership and stance on the issue. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the upcoming World Voices Festival, with several influential writers withdrawing from the event.
Following the boycott, PEN America announced the sharing of the 2024 finalists and winners online and is considering how to allocate funds for each award on a case-by-case basis. Notably, the estate of Jean Stein directed PEN America to donate the $75,000 prize money to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, emphasizing Stein’s commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights.
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