PEN Sydney
@pensydney.bsky.social
Sydney branch of PEN 🖋️
Defending freedom of expression on behalf of writers silenced by persecution or imprisonment.
🌏 https://linktr.ee/pensydneyau
Defending freedom of expression on behalf of writers silenced by persecution or imprisonment.
🌏 https://linktr.ee/pensydneyau
Pinned
PEN Sydney
@pensydney.bsky.social
· Dec 15
🗞️ PEN Sydney’s November magazine is now available and free to read online!
In this November edition, PEN Sydney shines a light on translation with poetry and essays, as well as the transcript of Shankari Chandran’s PEN Lecture from the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
👉 Join Najwan Darwish to explore No One Will Know You Tomorrow, his multi-award nominated collection. He testifies to endurance in the face of tragedy, waking up in an occupied land and the toll of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
🎟️ redroompoetry.org/events/najwa...
#sydney #palestine
🎟️ redroompoetry.org/events/najwa...
#sydney #palestine
Najwan Darwish: No One Will Know You Tomorrow
Australian poems by Australian poets are at the heart of Red Room Poetry, an organisation devoted to creating, publishing and promoting the reading and writing of great new work.
redroompoetry.org
February 10, 2026 at 7:02 AM
👉 Join Najwan Darwish to explore No One Will Know You Tomorrow, his multi-award nominated collection. He testifies to endurance in the face of tragedy, waking up in an occupied land and the toll of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
🎟️ redroompoetry.org/events/najwa...
#sydney #palestine
🎟️ redroompoetry.org/events/najwa...
#sydney #palestine
“It has been one year since anyone saw Hada, a Mongolian writer, bookseller, and activist who was disappeared from his hospital bed on February 6, 2025,” writes Erika Nguyen. He is one of many writers who have suffered under the constant repression by the Chinese state. More: pen.org/mongolian-wr...
February 8, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Reposted by PEN Sydney
#Venezuela: We welcome the release of journalist Rory Branker but condemn the continued misuse of the legal system to silence independent journalism.
Read our full statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/venezue...
Read our full statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/venezue...
Venezuela: PEN International welcomes the release of Rory Branker — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘While we welcome Rory Branker’s release, he should never have been detained. His arbitrary detention exemplifies the misuse of the criminal justice system to punish independent journalism in Venezuel...
www.pen-international.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
#Venezuela: We welcome the release of journalist Rory Branker but condemn the continued misuse of the legal system to silence independent journalism.
Read our full statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/venezue...
Read our full statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/venezue...
#Venezuela 🇻🇪 ✊ Journalist #RoryBranker has been released from prison after extended detention in Caracas since February 2025. He had been forcibly disappeared for over 200 days. His freedom comes with the Venezuelan government’s rolling release of political prisoners, which began in early January.
February 6, 2026 at 7:42 AM
#Venezuela 🇻🇪 ✊ Journalist #RoryBranker has been released from prison after extended detention in Caracas since February 2025. He had been forcibly disappeared for over 200 days. His freedom comes with the Venezuelan government’s rolling release of political prisoners, which began in early January.
College professors who once taught free from political interference are being watched by state officials, administrators & students themselves. “Publishing syllabi when it is coupled with this McCarthyist environment is really dangerous,” says @jonfreadom.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Professors Are Being Watched: ‘We’ve Never Seen This Much Surveillance’
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:08 AM
#Iran The Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on its own citizens continues, with members of Iran’s writing community among those arrested.
PEN Sydney condemns Ali’s arrest, and calls for his release.
👉 Click the 🔗 in our bio and read @penamerica.bsky.social's statement.
PEN Sydney condemns Ali’s arrest, and calls for his release.
👉 Click the 🔗 in our bio and read @penamerica.bsky.social's statement.
February 3, 2026 at 8:18 AM
#Iran The Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on its own citizens continues, with members of Iran’s writing community among those arrested.
PEN Sydney condemns Ali’s arrest, and calls for his release.
👉 Click the 🔗 in our bio and read @penamerica.bsky.social's statement.
PEN Sydney condemns Ali’s arrest, and calls for his release.
👉 Click the 🔗 in our bio and read @penamerica.bsky.social's statement.
✍️ Gore Vidal was an American essayist, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and public intellectual who dominated America’s 20th-century cultural scene. He is considered one of the United States’ finest essayists and critics.
#gorevidal #writers #writerquotes
#gorevidal #writers #writerquotes
February 1, 2026 at 6:13 AM
✍️ Gore Vidal was an American essayist, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and public intellectual who dominated America’s 20th-century cultural scene. He is considered one of the United States’ finest essayists and critics.
#gorevidal #writers #writerquotes
#gorevidal #writers #writerquotes
🚨FREE MAGAZINE ACCESS 📢
For limited time only, you can read the entire new issue of our latest magazine, Gen Z is revolting, for free!
The magazine explores how the world's youth are angry and refuse to be silenced.
Read it now ⬇️
journals.sagepub.com/toc/IOC/curr...
For limited time only, you can read the entire new issue of our latest magazine, Gen Z is revolting, for free!
The magazine explores how the world's youth are angry and refuse to be silenced.
Read it now ⬇️
journals.sagepub.com/toc/IOC/curr...
January 30, 2026 at 6:18 AM
📖 Read Terri-ann’s article on literature and translation in PEN Sydney's November 2025 magazine FOR FREE.
👉 Visit our website at: and our November magazine: pen.org.au/pen-magazines/
#translators #translate #writers #writing
👉 Visit our website at: and our November magazine: pen.org.au/pen-magazines/
#translators #translate #writers #writing
January 28, 2026 at 7:15 AM
📖 Read Terri-ann’s article on literature and translation in PEN Sydney's November 2025 magazine FOR FREE.
👉 Visit our website at: and our November magazine: pen.org.au/pen-magazines/
#translators #translate #writers #writing
👉 Visit our website at: and our November magazine: pen.org.au/pen-magazines/
#translators #translate #writers #writing
#australia 🇦🇺 🚨 PEN Melbourne, PEN Sydney and PEN Perth express our deep concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill that was passed by parliament this week.
📋 Read our joint letter: pen.org.au/hate-speech-...
#auspol
📋 Read our joint letter: pen.org.au/hate-speech-...
#auspol
January 23, 2026 at 7:15 AM
#australia 🇦🇺 🚨 PEN Melbourne, PEN Sydney and PEN Perth express our deep concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill that was passed by parliament this week.
📋 Read our joint letter: pen.org.au/hate-speech-...
#auspol
📋 Read our joint letter: pen.org.au/hate-speech-...
#auspol
🌏 🚨 According to @rsf.org , 67 journalists were killed and hundreds were detained for their work in 2025.
🔗 Click the link in our bio to find RSF’s press freedom map as well as PEN International’s 2025 case list.
🔗 Click the link in our bio to find RSF’s press freedom map as well as PEN International’s 2025 case list.
January 22, 2026 at 7:33 AM
🌏 🚨 According to @rsf.org , 67 journalists were killed and hundreds were detained for their work in 2025.
🔗 Click the link in our bio to find RSF’s press freedom map as well as PEN International’s 2025 case list.
🔗 Click the link in our bio to find RSF’s press freedom map as well as PEN International’s 2025 case list.
🚨 #Malaysia #Thailand: We welcome the recent settlement for Australian writer Murray Hunter, but his case remains a stark example of a transnational SLAPP involving civil defamation in Malaysia and criminal defamation in Thailand.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/malaysi...
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/malaysi...
Malaysia-Thailand: Australian writer Murray Hunter targeted in act of transnational repression — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘ As the current ASEAN Chair, the Malaysian government has a responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, across the region. Instead, it ...
www.pen-international.org
January 19, 2026 at 11:21 PM
#Iran 🇮🇷 The Iranian regime has cut off its citizens from the rest of the world. There is a total communications blackout.
With the ongoing civil strife in Iran, PEN Sydney reaffirms its support for all those writers and activists the Iranian regime has harassed, tortured, imprisoned, and killed.
With the ongoing civil strife in Iran, PEN Sydney reaffirms its support for all those writers and activists the Iranian regime has harassed, tortured, imprisoned, and killed.
January 19, 2026 at 6:38 AM
#Iran 🇮🇷 The Iranian regime has cut off its citizens from the rest of the world. There is a total communications blackout.
With the ongoing civil strife in Iran, PEN Sydney reaffirms its support for all those writers and activists the Iranian regime has harassed, tortured, imprisoned, and killed.
With the ongoing civil strife in Iran, PEN Sydney reaffirms its support for all those writers and activists the Iranian regime has harassed, tortured, imprisoned, and killed.
#Philippines 🇵🇭 ✊ On 14 January, Filipino poet, writer, and activist Amanda Echanis was acquitted of weapons and explosives charges after spending more than five years in detention. The court found the prosecution failed to establish the elements of the case.
#writers #freespeech
#writers #freespeech
January 17, 2026 at 3:14 AM
#Philippines 🇵🇭 ✊ On 14 January, Filipino poet, writer, and activist Amanda Echanis was acquitted of weapons and explosives charges after spending more than five years in detention. The court found the prosecution failed to establish the elements of the case.
#writers #freespeech
#writers #freespeech
#australia 🇦🇺 ✍️ The Adelaide Writers’ Week has been cancelled after roughly 100 writers decided to boycott the event over the disinvitation of Australian-Palestinian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.
PEN Sydney considers the disinvitation an infringement on freedom of speech in Australia.
PEN Sydney considers the disinvitation an infringement on freedom of speech in Australia.
January 13, 2026 at 7:40 AM
#australia 🇦🇺 ✍️ The Adelaide Writers’ Week has been cancelled after roughly 100 writers decided to boycott the event over the disinvitation of Australian-Palestinian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.
PEN Sydney considers the disinvitation an infringement on freedom of speech in Australia.
PEN Sydney considers the disinvitation an infringement on freedom of speech in Australia.
Today, on the fourth anniversary of his death, we remember Baktash Abtin, an Iranian poet and filmmaker imprisoned for his work documenting repression against writers. His death was preventable, and we continue to demand justice.
Read more from 2022 ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-pe...
Read more from 2022 ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-pe...
Iran: PEN International calls for investigation over Baktash Abtin’s tragic death and warns Reza Khandan is at risk — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwi...
10 January 2022: PEN International mourns the death of the prominent writer, poet, and filmmaker Baktash Abtin who passed away on Saturday battling Covid-19 in Tehran hospital. PEN International holds...
www.pen-international.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:22 AM
#Australia 🇦🇺 📢 Almost 50 writers have withdrawn from the Adelaide Writers’ Week after the Adelaide Festival Board decided to drop Australian-Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over community cohesion.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped
After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.
www.abc.net.au
January 10, 2026 at 6:32 AM
#Australia 🇦🇺 📢 Almost 50 writers have withdrawn from the Adelaide Writers’ Week after the Adelaide Festival Board decided to drop Australian-Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over community cohesion.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
#Iran 🇮🇷 🕊️ Today marks the 4th anniversary of the tragic death in custody of Iranian poet, writer, and film maker Baktash Abtin.
Ongoing civil unrest in Iran is a reminder of the regime’s brutality and its long history of human rights abuses against journalists and writers like Baktash. ✊
Ongoing civil unrest in Iran is a reminder of the regime’s brutality and its long history of human rights abuses against journalists and writers like Baktash. ✊
January 8, 2026 at 6:45 AM
#Iran 🇮🇷 🕊️ Today marks the 4th anniversary of the tragic death in custody of Iranian poet, writer, and film maker Baktash Abtin.
Ongoing civil unrest in Iran is a reminder of the regime’s brutality and its long history of human rights abuses against journalists and writers like Baktash. ✊
Ongoing civil unrest in Iran is a reminder of the regime’s brutality and its long history of human rights abuses against journalists and writers like Baktash. ✊
#Venezuela 🇻🇪
Venezuelan authorities must immediately release the journalist who remains detained and guarantee that journalists and media workers can work freely, without intimidation, harassment, or threats.
(3/3)
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
(3/3)
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Venezuela detains journalists and seizes communication devices after Maduro’s removal
Thirteen of those detained were released according to the country’s National Union of Press Workers
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:09 AM
#Venezuela 🇻🇪
🎉 2025 was a busy year for PEN Sydney.
January 5, 2026 at 6:57 AM
🎉 2025 was a busy year for PEN Sydney.
✍️ Joan Didion was an American writer and journalist and a pioneer in New Journalism, a style of journalism that introduces a subjective perspective and literary style into reporting.
🏅 In 2013, she was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
#writers #writing #writer
🏅 In 2013, she was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
#writers #writing #writer
December 22, 2025 at 6:54 AM
‼️ PEN centres are calling for urgent intervention by the Australian Government to secure the safe return of Australian writer Murray Hunter, who is currently detained in Thailand.
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/austral...
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/austral...
December 19, 2025 at 7:24 AM
‼️ PEN centres are calling for urgent intervention by the Australian Government to secure the safe return of Australian writer Murray Hunter, who is currently detained in Thailand.
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/austral...
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/austral...
‼️ @peninternational.bsky.social has joined Hong Kong Watch in a joint letter to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to press for the release of activist Jimmy Lai, a UK citizen and democracy advocate.
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
#China #HongKong #JimmyLai #Freespeech
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
#China #HongKong #JimmyLai #Freespeech
December 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
‼️ @peninternational.bsky.social has joined Hong Kong Watch in a joint letter to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to press for the release of activist Jimmy Lai, a UK citizen and democracy advocate.
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
#China #HongKong #JimmyLai #Freespeech
✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
#China #HongKong #JimmyLai #Freespeech
December 16, 2025 at 5:54 AM
🗞️ PEN Sydney’s November magazine is now available and free to read online!
In this November edition, PEN Sydney shines a light on translation with poetry and essays, as well as the transcript of Shankari Chandran’s PEN Lecture from the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
December 15, 2025 at 6:33 AM
🗞️ PEN Sydney’s November magazine is now available and free to read online!
In this November edition, PEN Sydney shines a light on translation with poetry and essays, as well as the transcript of Shankari Chandran’s PEN Lecture from the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...